THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
nv^
■ ./ •
. -^
SEQUEL TO SYNOPSIS
OF THE
TARIFFS AND TRADE
OF THE
BRITISH EMPIRE.
not anticipated when it was commenced, the Author may he
^ permitted to offer two or three remarks upon its completion.
o= He would deprecate any unfavourable criticism upon its
Ij construction, or upon the choice of periods or years made for
observation, upon which improvements might have been intro-
duced, if so large a development of the subject had been
contemplated at the beginning. Especially he would claim
indulgence for any disarrangement of the order of his state-
ments caused by the interpolation of the discussion relating
to the Export trade in coal.
He would point out that he has purposely abstained from
putting forward opinions, though he may have sometimes
indicated conclusions, bearing upon controversial points, lest
,they should create an imputation of bias in making the
"* numerous calculations and comparisons, which have been
^ prepared solely for the information and use of the Committee
rHof the League and the public. In this he hopes he has
Lu succeeded, as the reception of the first part of the work has
shown that the information contained in it has been adduced in
support of exactly opposite views upon the main points whicli
the statements were intended to elucidate.
The Author desires to express his grateful acknowledgments
to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies for having
referred the first part to many of the Colonial Governments for
their observations and correction of figures, in a despatch of
which a copy is annexed. These have been noted in the memo-
randum of corrections and additions placed in the appendix.
The encouragement of the Commercial Committee of the
^ Imperial Federation League, and the liberality of the Council
g of that body in undertaking the heavy expense of publication,
^ have stimulated the Author to endeavour to make an adequate
return for such generous support. To tlio Council the public
38(iS25 ""
IV PREFACE.
are altogether indebted for the information contained in this
work ; and it will be a disappointment if they are not eventually
reimbursed their expenditure by a satisfactory addition to the
members of the League, if not by the sale of the limited edition
of the publication.
P.S. — The delay which has occurred in the publication of
this volume has afforded an opportunity, within ten days of the
close of the year, of adding the chief results of an examination
of the trade of the year, 1888, compared with those for 1887,
and of thus demonstrating the usefulness of the method sug-
gested by the author.
Total Imports —
Total tonnage Milln. tons
,, value ,, £
Averiige valu'i' per register ton.... £
Total Exports- -
Total tonnage Milln. tons
„ valuo ,, £
Average value per register ton.... £
Exports, exclusive of coal —
Tonnage Milln. tons
Value „ £
Average value per register ton.... £
1887.
1888.
26-0
3610
13-9
27-1
386-0
14-3
30-2
280-0
9-3
31-7
298-0
9-4
13-7
270-0
19-8
13-7
287-0
20-9
Percentage
Increase.
4-2
6-8
2-1
50
6-4
1-0
nil
6-3
5-5
R W. E.
12/'/* Jamiartf, 1889.
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.
Part III.— Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
PAGI
Tntroducto rt 1
Cap. 1. Methods of ascertaining Volume of Trade, and
changes in aggregates of Value 2
§ 1. Mr. GifFen's Method, Index Numbers „
2. Mr. Bourne's Method ,, 7
3. Method of comparing Value with Tonnage 10
Table A. Method compared with others
by Index Numbers 10
Cap. 2. Imports and Exports, United Kingdom 18
§ 1. Quantities, Value, and Average Prices ,,
a. In each year, 1854-88 „
Tablel
b. The same in each month, 188.^)-87 23
Table II 24
The same continued for 1888 26
c. Curves of the same in each year, 1854-87 ... .,
Tables III and IV „
2. Exports of British (United Kingdom) Produce
and Manufactures, 1834-88 28
a. Quantities, Value, and Average Prices,
1834-88 „
Table V. Years 1834-54 .30
„ VI. „ 1855-88 31
b. Curves of each year 1834-54 32
Table VII „
3. Export of Coal ; a new Index Number for
Exports 33
Table VIIa. Export and Price of Coal,
1854-88 34
Table VIIb. Value per Ton of Imports,
Total Exports, and Exports exclusive of
Coal, 1854-88 35
Table VIIc. Tonnage, Value and average
value per ton of Exports, exclusive of
Coal, 1834-87 39
Table VIId. Curve of the same ,,
TI SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
4. Proportion of chief constituents 40
a. Imports, comparison of 1857 with 1886 ,,
Table VIII. 1854-86 „
b. Exports, comparison of 1857 with 1886 44
Table IX. 1840-86 „
c. Principal Articles omitted or added in 1886 47
d. Classification of Articles at different periods,
1855-84 50
5. Prices of chief Articles, 1854-86 51
a. Annual Prices ,,
Table Xa. Imports, Food
„ Xb. „ Raw Materials
,, XI. Exports ,
b. Uniformity of Rise and Fall „
c. Rise and Fall of Prices 52
d. Comparison of Prices, 1857-86 '... 53
Comparison of Prices by Mr. Bourne's Method,
1883-87 55
6. Prices of Raw Materials Imported, compared
with Prices of Manufactured Goods Exported,
Cotton, Flax, and Sheep's Wool, 1854-86 57
Table XII. Cotton 58
„ XIII. Wool 59
7. Proportion of Tonnage and Value Inwards
compared with the same Outwards, 1854-86 60
TableXIV 61
8. Re-export of Colonial and Foreign Merchandise 62
Table XV. Value in each year 1854-87 ... 64
9. Transhipments 6io
10. Diagram. Trade of United Kingdom, 1854-87
Table XVI. Showing the Principal
Events, Political and Economical, which
influenced or resulted from it 68
Cap. 3. Shipping, United Kingdom 71
§1. Tonnage, Inwards and Outwards „
Table XVII. Triads, 1872-86 72
2. Nationality of Vessels in Trade beyond Sea 74
Table XVTII. Tonnage and Proportions,
1877-79 and 1884-86 75
3. Passenger Traffic „
Tabic XIX. Tonnage and Passengers,
1853-55 and 1860-87 76
Table XX. Average Size of Vessels
carrying Passengers, 1860-87 77
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. VU
PAGE
4. Coasting Trade 78
5. Vessels belongiug to the United Kingdom 79
6. Vessels built in. tlie United Kingdom 80
a. Tonnage built, 1872 to 30tli Sept., 1888 81
b. Size of Vessels, Average, 1872-86 82
c. „ Classed, 1887 83
d. Increase of large Steam Vessels 84
e. Iron and Steel Vessels „
7. Vessels struck off the Register 8G
Cap. 4. Shipping compared with that of other Maritime
Countries 87
a. Employment of National and Foreign Vessels
in each country ,,
Table XXI. Tonnage, National and
Foreign, 1850 ; 1860-87 „
b. Employment of British Vessels in Foreign
Countries 89
Table XXII. Proportion employed in
each, 1850; 1860-87 „
c. Tonnage of Vessels belonging to each Countiy 91
d. Steam Vessels belonging to each Country ... 92
e. Increase of Tonnage in each Country 93
Part IV.— Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
Cap. 1. Imports and Exports, British Possessions 96
§ 1. Aggregate of British Possessions ,,
Table XXIII. Imports, Value in Triads,
1876-86 97
Table XXIV. Exports, Value in Triads,
1876-86 98
a. British Possessions examined separately 99
b. ,, compared with the United
Kingdom ,,
c. Estimated increase of Quantity at Prices of
1872-74 100
2. British Possessions in Groups 102
Cap. 2. Shipping, British Possessions 104
§1. Character of Shipping in Trade of each Possession ,,
Table XXV. Tonnage and Value of
Imports and Exports compared 105
Table XXVI. Tonnage, British and
Foreign, in Trade of each Possession,
1877-79, compared with 1884-86 106
via SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
a. Average Value per Ton 107
b. Proportion of Steamer Tonnage 109
c. ,, Foreign Tonnage 110
d. Comparison with the United Kingdom „
2. Comparison of Tonnage in each Possession Ill
3. Tonnage, aggregate in all Possessions, 1885 112
Table XXVII. Percentage Proportions ... ,,
4. Tonnage, in Groups of Possessions, 1885 115
Table XXVIII. Proportions in Trade with
United Kingdom, British Possessions,
and Foreign Countries ,,
5. Number and Tonnage belonging to the Empire,
1887 117
Table XXIX. Classed according to
Tonnage 120
Table XXX. Belonging to each Posses-
sion 121
6. Number and Tonnage built in each Possession,
1887 122
TableXXXI „
Cap. 3. Summary of Trade of each British Possession 123
Table XXXII. Proportion in which each
Possession contributed to Trade of
Empire 124
Table XXXIII. The same in which each
contributed to Trade of the United
Kingdom 125
Conspectus of Trade of each Possession.
India ,,
Table XXXIV. Tonnage in Trade of
India, 1877-86 128
Straits Settlements, &c 129
Recapitulation 151
APPENDIX.
A. CoiTections and Additions to Parts I and II 153
B. Note to Statement at p. 51 159
1). Detailed Table of circumstances. Economical and Com-
mercial, which affected or resulted from the Trade of the
United Kingdom in the years 1854-57 161
Part III.— MARITIME TRADE OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM, 1854-88.
Introductory.
It is proposed in the following pages to examine tlie progi'ess of
trade in the United Kingdom and in the British Empire respec-
tively, during a series of years ending in 1886-87. In the first
half of this work* a description was given of the existing tariffs in
all parts of the Empire, and of their operation and financial results,
with an abstract of the trade (Imports and Exports) of each part,
and of the whole, of tlie Empire in the year 1885. The present
review will extend, as regards the United Kingdom, over a period
of thirty-foui' years, from 1854 to 1888, during which only the com-
puted or declared values, both of Imports and Exports, have been
recorded, and will be carried still further back as far as Exports
are concerned. As regards the Empire the review will be less
extensive, but will comprise a period of fifteen years, from 1872 to
1886, which is sufficiently long to furnish a fair view of the pro-
gress of commerce in India and the Colonies, and the means of
comparison with that of the United Kingdom in the corresponding
years. A chapter will be devoted to an examination of the
character and nationality of the shipping employed in the
commerce of the United Kingdom, and of the several British
possessions at different recent periods.
Before proceeding further it is necessary to recall the observa-
tions already madef with regard to the caution to be observed in
dealing with official returns of Imports and Exports, and especially
in comparing the value of either in one year with that in another.
Mr. Griffen has conclusively shown, in the reports already referred J
to, that while the returns exhibit with sufficient accuracy for all
practical purposes the aggregate value of merchandise imported
or exported in each year, according to the current prices of the
yeai', they do not show the volume of such merchandise, or the
corresponding amount of business transacted from one 3'ear to
another, because a general, or even an extensive partial rise or
fall in prices will affect the aggregate value, perhaps in direct
opposition to the aggregate vohime of trade. The quantity-, or
volume, may increase, but a fall in price may cause a decrease in
the aggregate value, and there will be an apparent falling off in
the trade, although the contrary is the fact ; or a rise in price may
counterbalance and conceal an actual decrease in the volume of
trade.
* Piililislicd by the Inii)erial Fedenition Lensrnc in Mnrch last.
t Tart 1, pp. ii'J—[G. + Ibid., p. JO.
B
Cap. 1. — Methods of Ascertaining the Volume of Trade, and
Changes in the Prices of Imports and Exports.
§ 1. — Mr. Gijfens Method: Index Nmnhers.
There can of course be no direct metliod of accurately
measuring the volume of trade, composed of such an infinite
number of ai-ticles, and recorded in quantities of so many various
denominations. If it were possible to bring them to a common
denomination, the result would not repay the labour of compu-
tation.* But indirect metliods may be found of arriving at a
satisfactory process of comparing one year with another — of
measuring the volume of trade, Imports and Exports sepai-ately,
and of ascertaining whether changes in their aggregate valne are
caused by an increase or decrease in the volume of merchandise,
or by a rise or fall in the prices of commodities.
Mr. Giffen has adopted, and partially applied, one method in
the valuable series of Reports above referred to. These are pre-
pared with special reference to the question of the effect of changes
in price upon the aggregate value of Imports and Exports, and
thence of determining what changes, if any, may have occurred in
the volume of the' Import and Export trades. It will help to
explain the method, if some account be given of the materials
which were at Mr. Giffen's command, of the use which he has
made of them, and of the valuable results of which so much use
has been made in the following pages.
The " Statistical Abstract " of the United Kingdom, pu^blished
annually by the Board of Trade, contains two series of tables :
1". of the quantities and declared value of the principal articles of
Colonial and Foreign merchandise imported, and of the produce
and manufactures of the United Kingdom exported ; and 2". of
the average declared price of each of those articles, deduced from
the declarations of quantities and value.
* It lias been suggested that as a majority of the articles are estimated l)y
weight, all these might he reduced to a common denomination, say tons, and that
most, if not all other articles, even liquids, might be measured by weight, or their
ctjuivalent in weight, and by this means a measure of total quant ity might he
obtained. But independently of the trouble which such a calculation of millions
of transactions would cause cither to traders or officials, there could be no possible
advantage in bringing into a common aggregate of weight things, e.g., so dissimil.ir
as coals and diamonds, metal and feathers, wine and wood. If it were practicable,
there might be some advantage in tliis method if it would indicate the toimage of
ship|iing to which employment is given ; but a ton in weight is not a ton in bulk
for slii])i)ing ])urposes, and while a knowledge of the total weight of all Imports
find Exjjorts would be without value, it is jirobable that the recorded tonnage of
vessels entering and clearing with cargoes affords information quite as useful as
that of the a])])rox:mate aggregate bulk of all imports and exports, if it were
possible to compute the latter.
Maritime Trade of the TJnittd Kimjdom, 1854-88. .'>
The number of articles thus specified is about 120 of Ini]Kjrts
and 70 of Exports. There has been little variation in the number
of these articles during the last thirty years, but it will be instruc-
tive to examine further on those which have dropped out, and
those which have been added to the category of " principal "
commodities.* The proportion winch the value of these articles
bore to the total values at the extreme ends of the period was as
follows : —
Value of
Enumerated Articles.
In 1854. Imports 911 per cent. Exports 95*0 per cent.
„ 1886. „ 92-3 „ „ 95-0
In only two years, viz., 1866-67, has the proportion of suclt
Imports fallen below 90 per cent., and of Exports it only once fell
to 94 per cent., viz., in 1871. The "principal" articles, therefore,,
as enumerated in the " Statistical Abstracts," fairly represent the
mass of trade.
But among them is a number of which the value only is given.
as the quantities cannot be stated in a convenient form, or for any
useful purpose. The proportion of these has increased consider-
ably during the period under review. Thus the proportionate
value of enumerated articles of which the quantities are not stated
to the total amount was —
Of Imports in 1854 2 5 per cent. Of Exports 22'5 per cent.
„ '80 10-7 „ „ 26-2
The proportion of the total value which was unavailable for the
estimati(»n of the change of prices according to Mr. Gift'en's method
was, as stated in his last report — -
Of Imports in 1854 11-9 per cent. In 1886 21-4 per cent.f
„ Exports „ 31-1 „ „ 39-Ot „
From these materials Mr. Giffen has compiled a series of tables,
of which the first shows the average price in each year of eacli
principal article of Avhich both the quantities and value are stated.
These he calls "enumerated," and the rest " unenumerated." j In
* See p. 47.
t The difference between these figvn-es iind those resulting' from the prcceiling
statements, which are 18-4 and 31-2, arises from Mr. GiU'cn's fij^ures helonging to
u series spread over a nuniher of j'cars, in whicli it was necessary to inehide only
articles that could be shown for the whole period.
X These terms, used in Mr. Giffen's tahles without any qualification, and
adopted by Mr. Botirne without remark, arc aj)t to mislead, as in Customs and
connnon parlance the term "enumerated" is apjilied to all the "principal"'
articles specified by name, whether both the quantities and value, or only the
value he recorded, and the term " unenumerated " is aj)])lied to the smaller class
of "all other articles" which are not enumerated or specified by name, and of
which no separate record is published. But the above distinction in the u.se of
tlie terms must be borne in mind. The insertion of the particK' " herein,'' or of
some equivalent, would have prevented any niistake.
4 Marifiuie TmAe of the United Kinjdom, 1854-88.
bis first Report, laid before Parliament in 1879,* tlie calculations
were confined to Exports of the produce and manufactures of the
United Kinfj-dom, and to certain yeai-s, ten in number, between
1861 and 1877. In the subsequent reportsf they have been
extended to Imports also, and in the last two they have been
carried back to 1854 for Imports, and to 1840 for Exports, and
forvrard to 1886 for both. The number of ai'ticles embraced in
the latest report was 115 of Imports, and 67 of Exports.
The second table shows the percentage proportion which the
value of each "enumerated" article bears to the total value in tlie
same years. Upon this table Mr. Giffen has based his index number,
the method of obtaining which is explained in the first Report in
tlie following terms : " I have first tried to obtain a suitable index
" number for the entire articles constituting our export trade, so
" far as they are separately enumerated in the Abstract, and where
" quantities and values are given; and taking* the prices of 1861
" as a basis, I have tried to show how much the index number has
' been made to vary in certain years by changes in the price of
" each constituent of the number. To get the index number my
'" plan has been to ascertain the percentage proportion of the value
" of the exports of each enumerated article to the value of the whole
" export trade in alternate years since 1861, and to add the propor-
" tions for each year together " (p. 5). He has taken the prices of
the articles in 1861 as the standard with which to compare the
prices of the articles in other years, and the percentages which the
enumerated ariicles in 1875 bore to the total value of the Imports
and Exports in that year as the index number for the Import and
Export trades respectively.
To illustrate this explanation, Table II of his series shows that
the percentage proportion which the first article, alkali, con-
tributed to the total of the year 1875 was I'O ; lower down cotton
plain piece goods contributed 14'9 ; the total of specified articles
amounted to 73'1, which is the index number of that year. The
proportion of unenumerated articles amounted to 26'9 per cent.
Some readers may desire to know what an index number
means. As here employed, in ascertaining fluctuations in the
prices of commodities and in the volume of trade, it signifies a
ratio, or propoi-tional number, derived fi'om the aggregate of the
average wholesale prices of a large number of the principal articles
of commerce, compared with a standard, or unit, obtained at some
former time in precisely the same manner. It may be derived
from Exports or Imports alone, or from both combined, — from
* Pari. ]y.\\wv C-22 t7.
t Ibid., C-2 184 of 1S80 ; C-3079 of 1881 ; C-4456 of 1885 ; C-538G of 1888.
Maritime Trade nf the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 5
foreign or home products, or both combined, according to the
nature of the information desired.
The next step in the process is to compare the price of each
article in the years under observation with tlie price in 1861, and
to show the percentage differences, thus indicating the increase or
decrease in each year compared with 1861. This is shown in the
first part of Mr. Giffen's Table III.
Then these differences, based upon the variations from the
standard year of prices 1861, are applied to the relative proportions
which each article bore to the total expoi-ts of the standard year of
quantity, 1875, and the aggregate of the results yields the figure
by which the index number of 1875 is to be increased or decreased.
This calculation is shown in the second part of Table III.
The whole of the operation may be described by an example.
The average price of a horse was according to Table I £80"51 in
1861, and £4213 in 1865, which by Table III, Part A, is a fall of
47'67 per cent.; but as horses constitute only O'l per cent, of the
total Exports in the standard year of quantity (1875) the propor-
tionate decrease, calculated on the relative importance of horses to
the whole Export, is only 0*05 ; while the proportion of the aggre-
gate of specified articles in the same year showed an increase of
22' 71 per cent., by which figures the index number of 1875
(73'1) has to be increased and thus raised to 9581, in order to
show the difference of total value between the years 1861 and
1865, " irrespective of any decrease in the quantities of trade,"
which, however, is a most important factor in the calculation.
" In other words, if the index number is a fair one, and if the
" articles unenumerated or not entered by quantities have been
" subject to similar variations of price, the value of the Exports of
" 1865 ... in comparison with a year like 1861 would fall to be
" reduced by 25 per cent, or more. The Exports of British and
" Irish produce in . . . 1865 being £165,836,000, a reduction of
'• 25 per cent., would bring them down to . . . about £12-3 millions,
" in which case they would show a much less increase on 1861 than
" they now do." (p. 5). In fact, the Exports of 1861 amounted to
almost exactly £125 millions.
Further calculations are required to ascertain from the last
result the difference either in volume or price in any given year
or series of years. Mr. Giffen does not supply information on
either point for a consecutive period, but he gives various illustra-
tions of his method, especially by contrasting the results of its
application to yeai\s of extreme inflation and depression.
It is unnecessary to carry the desoiption further, but the
following remarks may not be misplaced. The method, which is
admirable for its ingenuity, is not easily understood, gind the
6 MnrUimc Trail' of tie JJnited Kingdom, 1854-88.
jn'ocesses are complicated, and require an immense and deterrent
amoimt of computation. The materials also are not available for
many ramiths after the expiration of each year. Tlie tables
embrace all the Imports, but only Exports of the Produce and
Manufactures of the United King'dom, omitting' the Exports
of Colonial and ForeigTi Produce, which amounted in 1886 to
£56 millions, or 20"9 per cent, of the whole Exports, upon the
assumption that the prices upon exportation are generally governed
by those on importation.* The ti-anshipments also, which in the
same year amounted to £10'7 millions more, are not included. It
may be a question whether, as is assumed, it is a matter of in-
difference what year is chosen for the basis of quantity, or whether
the average can be safely applied to distant years. The years
18(31 and 1875 have been taken apparently without reference to
their character. The former, which was the standard of prices,
was one of depression and low prices of Exports. It is alleged
tl)at it does not signify materially which index number of all the
years under observation is taken, although it is shown that in
the years quoted as an illustration f it does make a difference of
6 to 8 per cent. It is assumed in the composition ot the index
number that the prices of the unspecified articles, forming one-
fifth of the whole Imports and two-fifths of the whole Exports in
1886, will follow in the same direction, and to the same extent,
those of the three-fifths or four-fifths on which the index number
is calculated. Some information on this point will be furnished
in the following pages, which tends to invalidate the assumption. J
The plan, adopted in order to reduce the labour of computation, of
furnishing the calculations only for alternate years, or with longer
intervals of omission, some of which are of importance, e.g., the
years of inflation 1863-4, disappoints the reader by failing to give
a continuous view of the trade, or of the relation of each year to
its neighbours. It must further be noted and borne in mind that
the standard index number for Exports of 1875 has been changed
in the last two reports from 73*1, at which it stood in the preceding
reports, to 65"8. The reason for this is that in carrying the inquiry
sevei'al yeai^ further back, it has become necessary, for the purpose
of fair comparison, to omit a few articles of which the record does
not extend over the whole period. It is not claimed for this
method that it furnishes moi-o than an approximation to the truth,
and an indication of the direction and amount of the variations in
prices, novel in its conception, and of indisputable value, if no
more simple and equally i-eliable method can be ei^iployed.
* This point has been investigated at p. 65.
t 1875 and 18fil conipaml with 1873 iit p. 6 of lU'povt of 1879.
X See pp. 9 and 51.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 185i-88. 7
§ 2. Mr. Stephen Bourne' s method : Index Numbers.
Another method, based upou the same data, viz., the declared
quantities and value of Imports and Exports, has been proposed
by Mr. Bourne in two papers which he read, before the British
Association at its meetings in 1885 and the present year. Mr.
Bourne has scarcely done justice to his method in his manner of
presenting and explaining it, or in his exposition of the value of the
results to be derived from the use of it, inasmuch as he has limited
the latter to a comparison of the annual aggregates of the value and
volume, to which also Mr. Giifen's comparisons are contined, and
to a comparative abstract of the results as they affect the principal
classes of Exports of British produce and manufactures. He does
not deal with Imports, but his method is equally applicable to
them, and it possesses certain distinct and important advantages.
It is simple and easily understood. He adopts 1883, the first
of his series, as a convenient standard year for both price and
volume. He makes 1,000 the unit of total value, and 1"0 the unit
of the value, or price, of each of the articles capable of being so
enumeiated. These units become common denominators for all
the years of the series. Changes in value are represented by an
(percentage) increase or decrease of these figures.
He quotes the average prices from the " Statistical Abstracts,"
and the index number of each "enumerated" article from the
Reports already referred to, p. 2.
The percentage differences in the price of each article and in
the total value, in any year of the series compared with the stan-
dard year, is found by ordinarj^ simple calculations.
The new index numbers of the value of each article are
calculated upon the new total index number of values, and the
corresponding index numbers of volume are found by dividing the
new index numbers of value by the figures representing the
changes in price.
The form of his examples is very convenient. By the juxta-
position of the changes in the value (price) and in volume
(quantity) of each of the enumerated articles, it can be seen at
a glance what articles have produced, and to what extent they
have contributed to, the change in the aggregates both of value
and volume. It presents also the cardinal advantage of basing the
annual calculations upon the actual quantities and value of the
year, instead of applying the quantities of a single year to a series
of other years, which may differ immensely from the arbitrary
standard in this material respect. Mr. Bourne has pointed out
very forcibly the wide opening for error, if not the impossibility
of escape from it, in this stage of ]\Ir. Giffeu's process.* Taking
* " Eeport of the British Association for the Year 1885," p. 8G8.
8
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
tlie important article of cotton yarn exported, lie compares the
actual proportions of the quantities and value in three years, taken
from the " Statistical Abstracts," with the percentage changes on
the standard of 1861, and the corresponding alterations of the
index number for this article, as shown in Mr. Giffen's tables,
with the following results, which cannot be reconciled with one
ancitlier : —
1865.
1875.
1883.
Actual proportions of quantity
,, ,, value
104
10
+ 91-23
+ 5-38
216
13
+ 16-91
+ 1-00
265
14
Results in T T3 , , -,
Mr Giffeu's I Percentage cliange on \
1 , 1 1 standard of 1861 .... J
Change of Index Number
- 2-31
- 0-14
The great value of Mr. Bourne's method may be seen in the
following statements derived from the first table in his later paper,
in which he compares the Exports of the produce and manufactures
of the United Kingdom in the years 1883 and 1887.
He shows that while between these two years the volume of the
total Exports had increased from his unit of 1,000* to 1,062, the
value had decreased from 1,000 to 922.
Of the 65 articles of which both the quantities and value are
annually specified, 26 had increased in volume
15 „ decreased ,,
21 „ not changed
3 did not admit of comparison
The increase in these 65 had been greater than in the total
Exports, viz., from 673 to 775, or 14*8 per cent., while in unenumer-
ated articles it had been from 249 to 287, or only 11-2 per cent.
The infoi-mation with regard to value, or price, is still more
valuable to the commercial world. Out of the 65 articles, 12,
representing 8-3 per cent, of the whole increase of quantity, had
increased in price as follows : —
Per cent.
2 representing 0-9 of quantity liad increased from l-Q to 1 "27 in price
2 „ 0-7 „ „ 1-11 and 1-12 in price
8 „ 6-7 „ „ 101 (a) 1-08 „
12
8-3
* Mr. Bourne demonstrates the several advantages of adopting this unit, in
doing away with the use of the decimal point, and of tlie signs for /ji/w.? and minus,
and of cstahlishing a connnon denominator for the comp:irison of diffiTcnt y'^ars.
It would have hcen adopted in this paper, wliere practicable, if his suggestion
had been noticed sooner.
Maritime Trade of the United Kinr/clovi, IS.j-l-
But 51 out of the 65, representing 67"8 per cent, of the whole
increase of quantity, had decreased in price as follows : —
Per cent.
15 representing 122 of quantity had decreased from 1"0 to '90
19 „ 42-8 „ „ -80
13 „ 10-8 „ „ -70
3 „ 1-5 „ „ -02
3 not stated
"99 in price
•89 „
•79 „
•69 „
53
67-3
Of the above 12 which had increased in price only 4 had
increased in volume also ; of the 26 which had increased iu
volume all, with those four exceptions, had decreased in value.
The contiast between the above comparison and that shown by
Mr. Bourne in his first paper between the years 1883 and 188-4,
which corresponds with the otherwise ascertained history of the
two periods, corroborates the value of his method.
On the other hand his method is open to several of the remarks
applied to Mr. GifSen's. It involves a large amount of calculation.
The materials are at present only available, like Mr. Giffen's, some
months after the close of the year ; but this delay, it appears,
might be easily curtailed. Mr. Bourne, like Mr. Giff'en, deals only
with Exports of the produce and manufactures of the United
Kingdom. He too assumes that the value of the non-ennmerated
goods follows the same course as that of the enumerated, and " will
give results agreeing with the index number method." But this
assumption is not borne out by the figures already quoted from his
first table, nor from those to be derived from his second table (of
1888), which show, as seen in the following calculntion, that there
is no relation as regards extent of rise and fall of prices between
the principal classes of British Exports : —
Difference in Price cmnpared with 1883.
1884.
18S5.
1S86.
1887.
Textiles
14-
8^7 -
1^0 -
2 0-
8^4 -
16 ^4 -
3 +
13-6 -
5^4 -
18^5 -
1^0 -
19-4 -
3-3 -
Minerals
Otlier specified nrticles
9-.S -
1 ■() -
Not enumerated ,,
15-3 -
Total
11-2 -
11-5 -
7^8 -
2-9 -
Notwithstanding these detects, some of which are irremediable,
the information to be derived from the results of his method is so
valuable, as will be more fally shown in another place,* that an
effort should be made to give it to the public in as full a form and
* P. 55.
10 Maritlinn Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
at as early a date as possible, as a supplement to tliat proposed in
the present paper.
Other methods of estimating the variations in the prices of
Imports and Exports by means of index numbers have been pro-
posed by distinguished economists, and the subject is now under
investigation by Committees of the British Association and the
International Statistical Institute ; but they all involve much
labour in the collection and computation of data, and they do not
take into account the recorded, and therefore available, factor of
tonnage actually employed in the trade under examination.
§ 3. Method of comparing Value with Tonnage.
It is believed that a sound method of measuring fluctuations
in the volume of maritime trade, and in the average value (or
price) of the aggregates of Imports and Exports, can be proposed,
of the simplest kind, based upon data furnished by the Board of
Trade, not only annually but monthly, so that the monthly
variations can be shown within seven days after the close of each
month, and those of the year within the same period after the last
day of it. It involves one simple calculation, and appears to be
not inferior in its representation of the fluctuations in prices, while
it possesses the advantage of taking into account at the same
time the fluctuations in the amount of shipping with cargoes
employed in the trade of the Kingdom.
This method consists in a comparison of the total declared
value of Imports and Exports with the total registered tonnage of
vessels entering and clearing with cargoes, — in simply dividing
the total value by the total tonnage. If all the vessels entering
into the computation filled up on each voyage, and if they carried
nothing but merchandise, the tonnage, which repi'esents roughly
their capacity, would supply a factor by which to measure with
indisputable accuracy the annual or monthly changes both in volume
and value. But vessels do not all fill up, and they caiTy passengers
as well as cargo. During the last thirty years also the character
of vessels has greatly changed. Steamers have largely superseded
sailing vessels, and the size of steamers and their capacity for
stowage have been very greatly increased. The tonnage of large
passenger steamers in the trade of the United Kingdom has
immensely increased during the last few years.* It might there-
fore at first be assumed that these circumstances would hinder a
fair comparison founded upon the above data. But it must be
borne in mind that the fluctuations in the filling up of vessels
* Moreover any material clians^e in the metliod of adiiieasuviii required 15'5 million tons of shipping for their ('onveyance.
In this statement of (juantity, bunker coal, or coal taken for the consumptidii of
steamers, is not included. A table at p 31 will furnish some useful information
with regard to the coal trade.
14 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
titnbei' appear to liavo some influence upon the quantity of ton-
nngo, the former employing in 1886 3"4 millions, and the latter
8"G millions out of the total register tonnage entered of 26 millions.
But while the average value of a ton of cargo imported in that
year (see table at p. 19) was £14'1, the value of a corresponding
ton of grain was £12"2, and that of timber was £3'12. Con-
sequently neither of these articles affects the calculation of Imports,
as regards cither tonnage or value, in the same manner that coal
affects the calculation of Exports.
b°. It is apparent, upon compaT'ing the columns of tonnage in
the tables of Imports and Exports at pp. 18 and 19, with the returns
of grain imported and coal exported in the same years, that thei-e
is a certain extent of pnrallelism, and that in the years 1872, 1876,
1883, and 1887 the sudden increase in the amount of tonnage
entered was more or less owing to an increased importation of
grain, while in the years 1879, 1880, and 1883 the increase in the
amount of tonnage cleared was more or less owing to an increased
exportation of coal.
The inference to be drawn from the foregoing considerations
appears to be that the method hei-e proposed supplies a ready
means of accurately measuring the whole volume of maritime
trade, inwards and outwards, taking into account the factor of the
tonnage employed, which is in itself the most important single
branch of British commerce; also of calculating the fluctuations
in the value, or price, of the whole mass of Imports and Exports,
with sufficient accuracy as regards Imports, but liable, with regard
to Exports, to be affected by any large variation from year to year,
in the exportation of coal.
It does not thei'efore supersede, especially as regards Exports,
the method of discovering by means of index numbers, or other-
wise, the fluctuations in the prices of the chief articles in the home
and foreign trades, founded upon the prices of a certain number of
selected articles, and unaffected by the preponderating influence of
any one of them. But if the tonnage of ships laden exclusively
with coals exported, and the value of their cargoes, were excluded
from the calculation of Exports, and if in like manner the tonnage
and value of the cargoes of ships laden exclusively with grain and
timber imported were excluded from the calculation of Imports,
which could be done with ease, it is believed that a result equal, if
not superior, to any index number would be obtained.
This subject will be dealt with further on. It need only here
be remarked, that although the exclusion of coal from the Exports
raises the average value of all other Exports very greatly through-
out the series, and elevates them above the Imports, it does not
materially affect the review of the general export trade in periods,
nor even from year to year.
Maritiwe Trade of the TJniiid Kii'fjdom, 18o4-88. ]5
' It may not be amiss to place in juxtaposition the results
obtained for a series of years by the method now proposed, and by
some other of the most important methods based upon iudex
numbers, brought as closely as possible to the common measure of
percentage. Mr. R. H. Inglis Palgrave's voluminous and valuable
memorandum appended to the third Keport of the Royal Com-
mission on the Depression of Trade and Industry (1886) has
presented facilities for this. The annexed table exhibits the
percentage annual fluctuations for the tv^enty-nine years from
1858-86, the former year having been selected as the base, or
datum line, because it was that from which the return of " The
" Economist " started : — *
1. By comparison of total declaimed value with total tonnage of
Imports, Exports, and the mean thereof. Calculated on
base of 1858.t
2. By index numbers of Mr. GiflTen, based on declared quanti-
ties and average prices of all specitied articles of Imports,
Exports, and the mean thereof. Calculated on base of
1854.+
3. By iudex numbers of Mr. Bourne, based on the same data as
the last, for Exports only. Calculated on base of 1873.
4. By index numbers of " The Economist," based upon the
collective average of prices of twenty-two principal com-
modities, without reference to their relative importance as
regards either value or quantity. Calculated on price in
1858, as estimated on base of average of eix years 1845-50. §
5. By index numbers of Mr. Sauerbeck, based upon the
collective average of prices of forty-five principal com-
modities, also without I'eference to the same conditions.
Calculated on base of 1858. ||
G. By index numbers of Mr. R. H. Palgrave, based on the same
twenty-two commodities and prices as " The Economist,"
but taking into account the relative importance of each as
measured by the quantity esiimated to remain available
for home trade. Calculated on base of average prices of
five years 1865-69.^
* Soetbccr's iiick'x inniibcrs Lave not been overlooked, but tbey relate to prices
ill a foreign market, Hamburg'.
t See table infra at ))p. 18 and 19.
J "'J bird IiO] ort of Royal Connnission on Depression of Trade and Indnslry,"
1886, p. 329, and completed from "Final Keport of the Kojal 'Gold and Silver'
Commission," 1888, p. 17.
§ Ibid., p. 329.
II Calculated from tables in "Journal of tbc Royal Statistical Society," Sep-
tember, 1886, p. 617.
T[ Tliird report as above, p. ;513.
]6
Maritime. Trade of the United Kingdom, 18-54-88.
Table A. — Percentage Fl tod nations of Prices in the United Kingdom, according
to various Estimates.
1
u ;i
4
5
7
8
y
10
11
By Comparing Value of
By ComparinR Quantities and Prices
By Index Numbers based
Total Imports
and
with Total Value of
on Wholesale Prices of
Principal
Exports with Tonnage.
Impo
•ts and of
British Ex
ports.
Commodities, British and Foreign.
Years.
Kawson.
Giffen.
Bourne.
Without i-eference to
Quantities.
With
reference to
Quantities.
Total
Imports.
Total
Exports.
Mean.
Total
Imports.
British
Exports.
Mean.
British
Exports
"The
Economist."
Sauerbeck.
Palgrave.
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
18-6 =
141 =
16-3 =
80-36 =
in 1854
100
64-85 =
in 1854
100
72-60 =
in 1854
100
118 =
39-28 =
1858
100
100
100
—
—
—
—
100
100
'59
106
108
107
99
102
100
—
97
103
18(10
112
108
110
.
103
108
'Gl
110 100
103
—
—
—
—
104
107
'62
113
101
107
—
—
—
—
110
111
'63
120
117
118
—
—
—
—
134
113
'64
130
123
126
— •
—
—
—
146
115
'65
120
120
120
118
137
127
—
137
110
Average
'66
119
121
120
— •
—
—
—
136
111
of
'67
111
108
109
—
—
—
—
116
112
1865-69 =
'68
114
104
109
108
119
113
—
103
111
100
'69
110
105
107
—
—
—
—
102
109
1870
109
103
106
103
108
91
'71
108
105
106
—
—
—
1063 =
108
111
9'»
'72
106
115
no
—
—
—
in 1873
109
122
97
'73
106
115
110
107
132
119
100
113
127
102
'74
104
107
105
— •
—
—
94
111
116
100
'75
105
98
101
101
114
107
87
107
110
95
'76
95
84
89
96
105
100
78
104
108
93
'77
95
84
89
99
101
100
78
105
107
94
'78
93
81
87
92
—
—
75
97
100
87
'79
92
77
84
88
92
90
75
85
95
76
1880
92
79
85
93
87
97
- 100
87
'81
92
80
86
92
92
92
91
91
97
81
'82
90
79
84
—
—
—
94
94
96
83
'83
89
74
81
89
92
90
94
90
94
79
'84
87
71
79
84
90
87
91
85
87
75
'85
85
66
75
79
87
83
83
80
82
70
'86
77
65
71
74
82
78
83
78
—
6!)
These estimates have been brought together not because they
are comparable, for they are compiled from such different data that
they are not comparable, but they throw light upon one another,
and in several respects confirm one another. They all exhibit an
increasingly rapid fall in prices during the last few years.
The columns -which -will best bear comparison are those of
Imports, Nos. 2 and 5, for tliey arc both derived from the declared
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 17
value of Imports ; but Column 2 is calculated upon the whole
\ alue compared with tonnage, and Column 5 is calculated upon the
declared value of "enumerated" articles, which form only four-
fifths of the total Imports. The near approximation of the results
by the two methods points to the approach to adequacy in both.
The first has the advantage of simplicity and easy application.
Column 3 exhibits the fluctuations of total Exports, including re-
exports, which form, as shown at p. 3, rather more than one- fifth of
the total Exports, and cannot be compared with Column 6, which
shows those only of articles of British (and Irish) produce and
manufacture.
The mean of each of the above series founded upon Imports
and Exports has been given in Columns 4 and 7, in order to bring
them more nearly into comparison with the three series in Columns
9 to 11, which are founded upon market prices of certain principal
commodities, half or more of which are of foreign origin; these
therefore should be compared with Imports, while the others
should be compared with Exports.
The percentages in these three columns, founded as they are
upon average prices of a limited number of articles — twenty-
two and forty-five respectively — can furnish only an indication of
the probable fluctuations in the great mass of other articles, and
the discrepancies apparent in some of their figures inculcate the
necessity for great caution in using them for any secondary or
inferential purpose.
If therefore it be found that a table framed on the method
above proposed gives results which are generally consistent with
the history of the period, which reflect faithfully the known
incidents of inflation and depression, exhibit a remarkable parallel-
ism between the Import and Export trades, and can bear the test
of comparison, first of one part with another, and then of the whole
with corresponding results derived from other data, it is believed
that such a table may be accepted as affording an approximate and
sufficiently accurate method of measuring the maritime trade of this
or any other kingdom which can furnish the same simple data, and
of exhibiting the fluctuations both of volume and of price from
year to year, and from month to month; that it may in fact serve
the purpose of a Commercial Barometer.
18
Cap. 2. Imports and Exports.
§ 1. Quantities, Value, and Average Prices.
Sncli a table is now presented, showing for Imports and
Expoi'ts separately, in each year from 1854 to 1888 : —
1. The total tonnage of vessels entered (or cleared) with cargoes.
2. The total declared value of Imports (or Exports).
3. The average value of one register ton of cargo of Imports
(or Exports) in each year.
4. The same in groups of years.
It must be premised that the Exports include the re-exports of
Table I. — Quantify and Value of Merchandise Imported into, and
indicated by the Total Tonnage of Vessels which Entered and
and Exported, in each Year from 1854 {the date from which the
(Compiled from tlie Annual Statistic-ill
A.
— Imports.
Tears.
Quantity.
Value.
Average Value per Kegister Ton.
Years.
Periods.
Milln. tons
Milln. £
£
£ £
1854
7-9*
152-4
19-3*
19-3"]
'55
7-0
143-5
20-4 \
20-9 J
20-7
'56
8-2
172-5
'57
8-7
187-8
21-5
21-5
^20-3
'58
8-8
164-6
18-6
18-6
'59
91
179-2
19-7
19-7
1860
100
210-5
20-9 I
'61
]0-6
217-5
20-5 [
20-8
'62
107
225-7
21-0 J
'63
111
248-9
22-3
22-3 1
'64
113
274-9
24-3
24-3 I 22-8
Increase
'65
121
271-0
22-3 \
22-2 J
22 3 J
12-3%
'66
13-3
295-3
'67
13-3
275-2
20-6
20-6->
'68
13-8
294-7
21-2
21-2
'69
14-5
295-5
20-4 ]
1870
149
303-2
20-3 [
20-2
-201
Decrease
'71
16-4
331-0
20-1 J
iri%
'72
17-9
354-7
19-8 ■]
19-7
'73
18-8
371-3
'74
19-1
370-1
19-4 f
19-6
'75
19-0
373-9
'76
210
3751
17-8 \
17-8 /
17-8"
'77
22-1
394-4
'78
21-3
368-8
17-3 ^
>17-4
Decrease
'79
21-1
363-0
17-2
17-2,
13-4%
1880
24-0
411-2
17-1 f
'81
23-2
397-0
17-1 J
'82
24-8
413-0
16-6 1
'83
26-3
426-9
16-2 I
16-2 16-2
Decrease
'84
24-7
390-0
15-8 J
5-8%
'85
25-7
371-0
14-4 1
'86
24-7
349-9
141 y
14-1 14-1
Decrease
'87
26-0
361-9
13-9 J
12-9%
'88
27-1
386-6
14-3
Maritime Trade of tJie United Kingdom, 1854-88.
10
Colonial and Foreign Merchandise, but not transhipments. Mr.
GifPen's tables of Exports refer only to Exports of the Produce and
Manufactm-es of the United Kingdom. He could not have readily-
shown the results for the total Exports, if he had thought it
necessary or desirable, because the prices of re-exports are not
given in the " Statistical Abstract ;" and in the present table the
Exports of British Merchandise cannot be shown separately,
because in the retui'ns of tonnage no distinction could be made of
the origin of the merchandise composing the cargoes. The same
remarks apply to Mr. Bourne's tables.
Exported from, the United Kingdom (including re-exports^, as
Cleared with Cargoes, and the Declared Value of Merchandise Imj^vrted
Declared Value of Dnporfs has been, recorded) to 1888.
Abstracts published by the Board of Trade.)
Years.
1854.
'55.
'56.,
'57.,
'58.,
'59.,
I860.,
'61.,
'62.
'6.3.,
'64..
'65..
'66..
'67..
'68..
'69..
1870..
'71..
'72..
'73..
'74.
'75.
'76..
'77..
78..
'79..
1880..
'81..
'82..
'83.
'84..
'85..
'86..
'87..
'88..
B. — Exports.
Quantity.
7-9*
8-3
9-7
10-3
9-9
10-2
10-8
11-3
11-7
11-9
12-2
12-8
140
14-8
15-5
15-9
16-7
190
19-2
191
19-7
20-4
21-5
21-2
21-6
22-8
25-6
263
27-7
29-4
29-3
29-3
29-1
30-2
31-7
Milln. £
115-8
136-7
139-2
146-2
139-8
155-7
164 5
159-6
166-2
196-9
212-6
218-8
238-9
225-8
227-8
2370
214-0
283-5
314-G
311-0
297-6
281-6
256-8
252-3
245-5
248-8
28(;-1.
297-1
306-7
305-4
296-0
271-4
268-7
280-5
298-3
Average Value per Eegister Ton.
Years.
1}
£
14-7*
140
1 4-4
14-1
141 J
15-2
35-2
14
14
165
17-4
17-0
17-1
15-2
14-7
14-9
14-6
14-9
163
162
15- 1
13-8
11-9
11-9
11-4
10-9
11-1
11-3
11-1
10-4
10-1
93
9-3
93
9-4
14-2->
15-2
14-2.
16-5
17-2
14-9"
14-4
170
16-2 [l^'l
15-1 I
13-8J
11-4 11-4
10-25 10-25
9-3 9-3
Increase
15-3%
Decrease
11-1%
Decrease
245%
Decrease
100%
Decrease
* See note at, p. 30.
(j2
20 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
A brief examiimtiou of tlie first four or five years of the Table
of Imjjorts ■will best explain the method and the character of the
results. Comparing the year 1855 with 1854, the tonnage decreased
from 7-900,000 to 7-0 millions, and the value from £152-4
millions to £143-5 millions. But as the decrease in the tonnage
WHS irS per cent., and in the value only 5-1 per cent., or less
than one-half, the average value per ton increased from £19-3
( = £19 6s.) to £20-4 ( = £20 8*'.), which implied a corresponding
advance in pHces. In 186G there was a large increase of tonnage
amounting to 17-1 per cent., but a still larger proportionate average
in the value, viz., 20-2 per cent. The average value therefore
increased, but only slightly, to £20'9. By a similar process the
a-'-erage value in the next year increased further to £2T5 ; but in
1858 the amount of tonnage remained almost stationary, w^hile the
total value deci-eased by £23-2 millions = 12-3 per cent., and the
average value fell fi'om £21 5 to £18-G per ton.
A. Notes on Table I. Yearly Comparisons.
Proceeding now to the principal features of the table, and first
as regards Imports, it appears that : —
1. The average value per ton in the first year, 1854, was
£19-3, that it increased slowly to 1858, when it suddenly fell from
£21-5 to £18-6 ; it recovered slightly in 1859, and continued to
ri.se, with the exception of a single year, 1861, to 1864, when it
reached for a single year the highest point in the whole series, viz.,
£24-3. From that year it continued to fall continuously but slowly,
\>-\i\\ the single exception of 1868, till 1875, when it suddenly fell
from £19-6 to £178; and thence continuously, but gi-adually,
to the end, excepting in 1885, when it fell heavily from £15-8
to £14-4; it reached its lowest point of £13-9 in 1887.
2. The difference between the first and last years of the series
was 28-0 per cent. ; the rise from 1854 to 1865 — eleven years — was
25-9 per cent., and the fall from 1865 to 1887 — twenty-two years —
was 42 -S per cent.
3. The average of the thirty-four years scarcely differed from
the value of the first year, being £19-1, as compared with £193.
4. In the first nine years, before the disturbance caused by the
American civil war, the extremes of the annual differences were
l)etween £186 (or excepting 1858, £19-3), and £21-5, or not more
than 161 per cent. The average of the nine years was £20-3.
5. The four years of the American civil war, 1863-66, formed
an exceptional period, of moderate increase of tonnage, and of
. large increase of value, the latter having risen from £20-3 to
£22-8 = 12-3 percent.
6. Durii.g the next nine years 1867 to 1875 the tonnage rose
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 21
greatly, from 13"3 millions to 190 millions, wliile tlie average value
fell from £22"2 to £19"6, and returned to about the average of the
first nine years, viz., £20"1, a fall of 111 per cent.
7. During the Franco- German war, and the two following-
years, although there was a large increase of tonnage, and an
accompanying increase in the volume of Imports, there was no
increase, but an actual slight decrease, in prices, viz., from £20"3 to
£197.
8. The twelve years from 1876 to 1887 divides itself into three
periods : in the first, 1876 to 1881, the value per ton remained
nearly stationary at an average of £17'4 or 13'4 per cent, below
the last period; in 1882-84 it fell further to £16'2, a decrease of
5'8 per cent. ; and in 1885-87 it averaged £14*1, a decrease of 129
per cent.
9. The total fall between 1867-75 and 1885-87 was from
£20-1 to £14-1, or 30 per cent.
Examining the Exports in a similar manner, it appears that : —
1. The average value per ton in the first year, 1854, was
£14-7; it fluctuated slightly below this till 1859-60, in which yeai-s
it rose to £15'2, but fell again to £14'2 in the next two year.s,
1861-62. With the American civil war it rose in 1863 to £16'5,
and, as in the case of the Imports, it reached the highest point of the
series in 1864, viz., £17'4. It did not however recede, as did the
Imports, during the two following years, but remained at nearly
the same amount. In 1867 it fell heavily from £17"1 to £15*2,
and continued to fluctuate till 1872-73, when it rose from £14"9
to £16'o. In 1874 it fell again to £15*1 ; in the following year to
£13'8 ; in 1876 to £11'9 ; and from that point it sank gradually
to its lowest point, £9-2, in 1886. In 1887 it returned to the
rate of 1885, which was £9"3, an insignificant recovery, but indi-
cating a turn of the tide, which is confirmed by an examination of
the monthly returns for the past eleven months of 1888.
2. The average of the whole period of thirty-four years was
£13'5, being 8'1 per cent, less than the value of the first year,
which was £14*7.
3. There is a decided correspondence in the matter of fluctua-
tions of value between Imports and Exports in periods of years,
though not in individual years. Thus the first nine years of
Exports fluctuated even less than the Imports, viz., between £14
and £15*2, or 8'5 per cent., but there was no exceptional fall in
1858, and there was a fall in 18G1-62, which did not occur in the
Imports.
4. The increase in the four years 1863-66 was even greater than
that of Imports, being from 14'4 in 1854-62, to 17'0, or 15'3 per
cent.
22
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
5. Tlie decrease in the next nine years to an average of £15-1
corresponds exactly with that in the Imports, both being 111 per
cent., notwithstanding the exceptional rise in the Exports in
1872-73.
6. The fall in the next period, 1876-82, from 15-1 to 11 4^24-5
per cent., is nearly double, (82 per cent, greater than) the fall in
the Imports, which was only 13'4 per cent.
7. In 1883-84 the further fall to £10-25, amounting to lO'O per
cent., was neax-ly double that of the Imports. But in the last three
years the fall in Imports has exceeded that in Exports in the pro-
portion of 12 9 to 9'2 per cent.
8. The difference between the first and last years of the
series was 36' 7 per cent., being nearly one-fourth greater than the
fall in Imports ; the rise from 1854 to 1865 was 18'3 per cent.,
and the fall to 1887 was 46"5 per cent. The corresponding changes
in Imports were 25'9 and 42"8 per cent.
Comparing the Imports and Exports together, the difference in
the value per ton on the whole of the period was between £19'1
and £13"5, or 29'3 per cent. ; but while in the fii'st year, 1854, the
difference was between £193 and £14"7 per ton, or 238 per cent.,
in 1887 the difference was between £13"9 and £9*1 per ton, or
333 per cent. The whole of this, and of many of the above
differences, are however owing to the effect of the large export of
coal lowering the aggregate value of Exports.
It must be noticed that the tonnage of Imports and Exports
was exactly the same, 7"9 millions,* in the first year, 1854, but in
1887 the tonnage of Imports had increased to 26'0 mil]ions==229
per cent., and the tonnage of Exports had increased to 30"2 millions
= 282 per cent., or, approximately, in the proportions of 3 and 3^
fold respectively. Exclusive of coal the tonnage of the Exports had
increased from 5'0 to 13"7 millions of tons = 173 per cent.
The differences between the six yjeriods in the table are as
follows : —
Periods.
Average Value per Register Ton.
Difference.
Imports.
Exports.
Amount.
Per Cent.
1854-62
'63-66
'67-75
'76-81
'76-82
'82-8-4
'83-8-i
'85-87
£
20-3
22 8
2U-1
17-1
16-2
141
£
14-4
170
151
11-4
10-2
9-3
£
5-9
5-8
5-0
1 6-0
I 6-0
4-8
290
25-4
24-8
34-5
370
340
The exact figures were : entered 7jS'J'J,742 tuus, ckiired 7,870,536 tons.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
23
In 1864, when botli Imports and Exports reached the highest
point, the difference was between £:24'y and £I7'4, or 28"3 per
cent., being slightly below the above average of the whole period.
It will probably be admitted that this table (at p. 18) bears
intrinsic evidence of its adequacy to repre.sent with a sufficient
approximation to accuracy tlie annual fluctuations of maritime
trade both in volume and in value. The manner in which sudden
and violent changes in the amount of tonnage, or of value, some-
times in agreement with, and at other times in opposition to one
another, are reduced into a moderate and reasonable change in the
average value of a ton, the parallelism of the results drawn from
the tables of Imports and Exports, and the correspondence of those
results with the commercial history of the period, seem to combine
in establishing the trustworthiness of the table, independently of
confirmation from other sources. This however is not w^anting,
and although a comparison between the results derived from this
method and those derived from Mr. Bourne's are not strictly com-
parable, inasmuch as the former embrace the wliole ti*ade, and the
latter are confined to the Exports of British produce and manufac-
tures, the remarkable pai-allelism between the two series for the
years 1883-87 affords a strong argument in favour of the acceptance
of both methods : — ■
Changes in Value (Price).
1883,
'84
'85
'80,
'87
Bourne.
British Exports only.
1,000
971
888
885
922
Eawson.
Total Exports.
1,000
971
894
884
894
It must however be remarked that in these five years there has
been but a slight and gi-adual change in the quantity of coal
exported. The difference in 1887 maj be owing to the increased
quantity of coal exported in that year.
B. Notes on Table II ; Monthly Comparisons.
This table shows the average value of a register ton of cargo,
calculated in the sauie manner, for each month of the years
1885-87. It is compiled from the Monthly Accounts of "Trade
" and Navigation " published by the Board of Trade, and is
computed in the same way as the annual tables.
24
Mai-itime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Table IT. Average value per Ton of Cargoes Imported into, and
^Exported from, the United Kingdom {including re-expnrtf),
ascertained by a comparison of the Tcmnage of Vessels which Entered
and Cleared loith Car goes, with the Declared Value of Imports and
Exports, in each month of the years 1885-87.
Average Value per Kegister Ton of Cargoes.
Months.
Imports.
Exports.
ATerajje of
the '1 hree Years
Ib85-87.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1885.
1886.
1887.
Imports
Exports.
January
£
18-1
17 1
16-6
15-6
14-2
121
12-5
11-8
12-9
13-3
14-6
15-9
£
16-8
16-8
16-5
140
13-4
12-8
12-2
12-2
12-7
13-4
14-9
16-2
£
16-4
16-3
15-9
15
12-7
12-2
11-7
11-5
12-2
13-5
15-2
16-4
£
11-7
11-7
9-7
9-0
8
8-7
9-4
8-2
9-2
9-1
8-5
10-1
£
10-3
10-9
11
9-4
7-7
8-8
8-7
8-8
8-8
8-8
8-7
9-6
£
10-1
11-2
10-0
9-1
8-2
8-3
8-8
8-5
8-9
9-3
9-6
9-9
£
17-1
16-7
16-3
14-9
13-4
12-4
12 1
11-8
12-6
13-4
14-9
16-2
£
10-7
February
11-3
10-2
9-3
May
8-0
June
8-6
July
9-0
August
8-5
September
October
9
9 1
Noyember
8-9
December
9 9
Average of year ....
14-4
14-1
13 9
9-3
9-2
9-3
141
9-3
Ayerage of Seasons.
May to October
12-6
160
27-0
p. cent
8-7
Kovember to April
10-0
Excess in yrinter
/
15-0
p. cent
This taWe reveals the fact that the value of caj-goes differs
materially, and with great regularity, at the several seasons of the
year; that the average value of a ton of Imports in the six months
from May to October in the above years yyas only £12'G, while in
the six months of yvinter it rose to £16"0, a difFerence of 27 per
cent. ; and of Exports the corresponding values were £87 anil
£10-0, a difference of 15 per cent. In the preceding years, and
in the whole of the six years, the differences stood as follows : —
Imports.
Percentage
Difference.
Exports.
Percentage
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Difference.
1882-84
£
14-9
12-9
£
17-9
160
Per cent.
20-1
24-0
£
10-0
8-7
£
11-1
100
Per cent.
11"1
'85-87
15-0
1882-87
13-9
17-0
22-3
9-3
10-5
13-0
Maritime Trade of the TJnifed Kingdom, 1854-88. 25
The records are not available for carrying the comparison
much further back ; but the combined evidence of the constancy
of the difference, of the gradual character of the change, as shown
in Table II, and of the total absence of change at a season of
commercial quiescence, such as the six months from June to
November, 1886, during which the monthly average varied only
from £8'8 to £8"7, seems to offer a corroborative proof of the
sufficiency of the annual table for its purpose.
It has been suggested as one reason for the winter cargoes
being more valuable than those of the summer, that the crops of
cotton, corn and wool arrive at the former season ; but this would,
not apply to the value of Export cargoes; and it seems more
probable that the trade in coal, wood, and other bulky — and less
valuable — articles, carried on in sailing vessels and ships of an
inferior quality, is confined to the summer months.
The monthly table presents an equally reliable measure for
comparing each month, not with its predecessor, as in the case of
the annual table, but with the corresponding month of two, three,
or more previous years. Such a comparison, in connection with
the upward or downward tendency of the months immediately
preceding, seems to offer as correct an indication of the course of
prices in maritime trade as that supplied by the annual table.
Taking as an illustration the trade of the last eighteen months,
as shown in the preceding and following tables, it will be seen, as
regards Imports, that the value per ton during the five months
from May to September, 1887, was considerably below the corres-
ponding months of 1886 or 1885,' but that in October it began to
rise above those of the two preceding years ; it continued to rise
above either year in November and December; it stood above 1887
in January and February, 1888, but below 1886 or 1885. In
March, however, it rose above either of the three preceding years.
In April it fell below 1887, but exceeded 1886. In May and June
it exceeded 1887, and in the next three months it equalled or
exceeded 1887, but fell short of 1886 or 1885. As regai-ds Exports,
the turn of the tide began earlier, and indeed in May and July,
1887, the value stood higher than in the corresponding months of
1886. The fall in August, as compared with 1886, was much less
than in the Imports; the rise began in September instead of
October. In the latter month it advanced more rapidly than in
the Imports. It advanced at a lower rate in December and
January, showed a slight falling off in February, and rose again
in March. In April there was a rise; in May and July a large
rise; in August a rise, and in September, for the first time since
February, a fall. October exhibits a return to improvement.
On the whole of the year 1888, the Imports show a rise of
26
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
2"9 per cent, over 1887, and of 4*2 per cent, over 1886, but have
not quite reached the level of 1885. On the other hand the
Exports liave risen 2-1 per cent, over 1837, 32 per cent, over
1886, and have exceeded the level of 1885 by 2"1 per cent.*
Tahle 11.— Continued for the Year 1888.
January
Fcbnmr}'
March
April
May
June
July
August
Scpteiuber
October
Kovcmber
l)ecember
Average of year....
Imports.
Exports.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1885.
1886.
1887.
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
18 1
16-8
16-4
lG-7
11-7
10-3
10 1
17 1
16-8
16-3
lG-5
11-7
10-9
11-2
16-6
16-5
15-9
16-8
9-7
11
10
15-6
14-0
15-0
14-5
9
9-4
91
14-2
13-4
12-7
13-6
8
7-7
8-2
121
12-8
12-2
12-6
8-7
8-8
8-3
12-5
12-2
11-7
11-7
9-4
8-7
8-8
11-8
12-2
11-5
11-8
8-2
8-8
8-5
12-9
12-7
12-2
12-2
9-2
8-8
8-9
13-3
13-4
13-5
13 6
9-1
8-8
9-3
14-6
14 9
15 1
15-8
8-5
8-7
9-6
15-9
16 2
16-4
16-4
10-1
9-6
9-9
14-4
141
13-9
14-3
9-3
9-2
9-3
1888.
£
10-3
10
10-
9-5
If this does not exhibit an exact measure of the actual fluctua-
tions in the course of maritime trade during the last eleven months,
it certainly affords a very close indication of them, and one upon
w^hich both statesmen and the commercial community may rely.
The data on which it is based are furnished periodically by the
Government within seven days after the expiration of each month —
and the calculations and comparisons are of the simplest kind.
A. — Notes on Tables of Curves 3 and 4.
Before proceeding to examine the further evidence in support
of the sufficiency of these tables for their purpose, which will
involve the consideration of other tables leading away from this
special point, it will be instructive to inspect the results exhibited
* The following: statements afloi-d interestinfj information as to tlie impulse
given to industry and the investment of capital durinj^ the first six months of the
present year : —
1. The ninnber of vessels undor eimstruction in the United Kingdom on 30th
•Tune, 1888, was 34 per eent. greater, anil the tonmige was 45 ])er cent, greater
than at the corresponding period of last year; on the 30th September those pro-
portions had advanced to (iO and 77 respectively.
2. The inunber of new issmes quoted on the London Stock Exchange in the
first six months of 1888 was £17i millions, identical with the amount quoted in
tiie whole of the preceding year. In ortiinary years there is but a slight difference
in the amount of new issues between the first and latter halves of the year. It
may therefore be anticipated that the issues of 1888 will be double those of 1887.
Years.
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Maritime Trade of tlie Unifed Kingdom, 1854-88. 27
in a graphic form in Tables III and IV for Imports and Exports
respectively : —
These show the yearly variations : —
1. Of quantity, as represented in Table I by the tonnage of
vessels which entered or cleared at the ports of the
United Kingdom with cargoes.
2. Of value, as represented by the total declared value of
merchandise imported and exported, including foreign
and colonial merchandise re-exported.
3. Of price, as represented by the average value per register ton.
The variations of the three factors of quantity, value, and price
are calculated as percentage differences from those obtained in
1854, the ordinates representing these differences for each factor,
while the abscissae repi'esent successive years. The scale is the
same for Imports and Exports, which therefore are strictly com-
parable as to magnitude. The influence of price upon value is
seen by a simple inspection of the cui"ves of quantity and value,
which with a constant price would be parallel, or rather identical.
It will be observed in the table of Imports that —
1. The year 1855, during the Crimean war, was marked by a
large decrease of tonnage and of value, but at the same
time by a rise in prices.
2. There was a continuous rise in pi'ices till 1858, when thei-e
was a sudden and heavy fall below the constant.
3. While prices were rising up to 1865, and until they fell
below the constant in 1876, the curve of value ran above
that of quantity ; but crossed the latter, and in the next
year sank rapidly below it, when the curve of price fell
permanently below the constant,
4. The curves of quantity and value cross one another, when-
ever the curve of price crosses the line of constant, to
wit in 1858, 1859, and 1876. The two series touch one
another without crossing in the year 1874.
5. The effect of a change in prices is conspicuously exhibited
in the difference between the curves of quantity and
value in the years 1858, 1865, and 1869, when a fall in
price produced a fall in value in spite of a rise in
quantity; also in 1876, when the difference is even more
strongly marked, and again in 1685.
6. There is only one instance of the reverse action, viz., in
1875, when a slight rise in price caused an increase in
value, although there was a decrease in quantity.
An examination of the table of Exports and a compai'ison
with that uf Imports show the Ibllowing principal results : —
28 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
1. The curves of quantity and value of Exports ran together
until 1871, but more irregularly than in the Imports,
crossing one another no less than eight times before 1875 ;
when, as in the Imports, they crossed for the last time
and took opposite directions, the value falling while the
quantity continued to rise.
2. The prices of Exports fell in 1855, during the Crimean war,
and remained steady till 1859, unlike those of Imports,
which continued to rise until 1858, when they fell heavily.
Both began to rise in 1859, but Imports continued to rise
until they reached their highest point in 1864, when they
fell rapidly and never rose again till the end of the series,
except very slightly in two single years, 1868 and 1875.
On the other hand Exports remained stationary in 1860,
fell in 1861, began to rise rapidly in 1863, and reached
their highest point, like the Imports, in 1864.
3. They maintained themselves better than the prices of
Imports in 1865-66, but fell more heavily in 1867 ; made
no upward movement in 1868, and fluctuated below
those of Imports up to the end of 1871.
4. In 1872-73 they took and maintained an upward course, in
which Imports did not share; hut in 1874-76 they fell
heavily and continuously, while the heavy fall in Imports
did not begin till 1876.
5. Prices both of Exports and Imports remained steady in
1877 ; but since then there has been a continuous fall in
both — heaviest in Exports — except in the years 1880-81,
when there was a slight rise in Exports, which was
scarcely visible in the Imports.
6. The years in which in the table of Exports the effects of
a fall in price on the amount of value is most conspicuous
are 1861, 1867, 1874 to 1876, and 1878. The year 1872
is noticeable for a sharp rise in prices, which converts a
slight rise in quantity into a very large rise in value.
7. There is no instance of the reverse action in the table of
Exports.
8. The rise in the value of Exports in 1887 has been higher
than that of Imports.
§ 2. Exports of British. Produce and Manufactures, 1834-88.
a. Quantities, Value, and Average Prices.
It has been pointed out that it is only since 1854 that the
declared value of Imports has been recorded, and it is only since
1852 that the declared value of re-exports has been recorded.
Therefore, although it is possible to carry further back an exami-
Maritime Trade of tlie JJ^iited Kingdom, 1854-88. 29
nation of the annual Exports of British Produce and Manufactures,
it is not possible to add to them the value of Colonial and Foreign
JMerchandise, and to compare this aggregate with the tonnage, as
has been done in Table I, and represented in the preceding curves.
Yet, as the amount of re-exports has not varied much from year
to year, and as the proportion to the total Exports was gradually
diminishing in following the years back from 1854, a table may
be prepared in which, assuming for the nonce that no re-exports
took place, the value of British Expoi'ts may be compared with
the tonnage, and the value of a ton of merchandise may be esti-
mated minus whatever addition should be made each year for the
actual value of the re-exports.
Thus in 1834 2'2 millions of tonnage cleared with cargoes, and
the value of British Exports was £41"6 millions, which gives an
average of £18'9 per ton,* to which would have to be added from
6 to 12 per cent, for re-exports, in order to obtain an average
corresponding to that in Table I. But for the purpose of com-
paring the price of British Exports in the year 1835 and each
following year up to 1886 with its predecessor, and thus con-
structing a table upon the same principle as Table I, which shall
exhibit the annual variation in prices, the omission of the re-exports
may be disregarded, and the calculation may be carried on for
British Exports only down to the latest year, 1886. Moreover the
sufficiency of this calculation may be tested by adding the value
of the re-exports from a date when their value was recorded, and
comparing the result with that exhibited in Table I, derived from
a comparison of the tonnage with the total Exports. The almost
completeness of the identity through the whole period from 1854 to
1886 appears to demonstrate the sufficiency of the comparison from
year to year, notwithstanding the imperfection of the calculation,
as indicative of the average price of each year, to which, in order
to show the average value of total Expijrts, would have to be
added a sum varying from £2 to £4 each year for re-exports,
according to the experience of the years from 1854 to 1886 during
^\ hich it was recorded. The average difference during this period
Avas £2' 7.
To show these particulars two tables have been prepared :
1. No. V, which exhibits the variations (in the price of British
Exports) from 1834 to 1854; 2. No. VI, which continues that
table on the same basis up to 1886, and exhibits the result of
adding together and showing, in (juinciucnnial pei'iods, the value
of British, foreign, and colonial Exports, and a comparison of the
figures so corrected with corresponding averages taken from
Table I :—
* This is tlie accurate average after allowance for fractions in the factors.
30
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Table V. — Tonnage of Vessels which Cleared with Cargoes, and of the Declared
Value of British and Irish Produce and Manufactures Exported, from Ports
of the United Kingdom, with the Average Value of such Exports per Register
Ton, in each Year from 1834 to 1854.
(Compiled from " Statistical Abstracts.")
Value
Average Value per
Tonnage
of Exports of
Register Ton.
Cleared
with
British and
Irish Produce
Events.
Tears.
Cargoes.
and
Manufactures.
Years.
Periods.
MiDn. tons
Milln. £
£
1834
2-2
41-6
18-9*
19-2-|
21-3
^-18-9
1834.
Slave emancipation.
'35
2-4
47-4
19-6 \
21-3/
'36
2-5
53-3
'36.
U.S. national debt paid ofP.
'37
2-6
42
161
16-1
17-3J
'37.
Commercial panic, London.
'38
2-9
50-5
17-4 1
171/
'38.
Famine in India ; Affghan war.
'39
31
53-2
'39.
War with China.
1840
3-4
51-3
15-1 1
15-0 /
151-|
1840.
Treaty of London ; Eastern qviestion.
'41
3-5
51-5
'41-42. Manufacturing depression.
'42
3-7
47-3
12-7
13-2 1 14-4
'42.
Peace with China.
'43
3-8
52-2
13-7"
'43.
T)-ade with China opened.
'44
3-7
58-5
15-8 >
15-8-
'44.
Bank Charter Act passi d.
'45
4-3
601
14-0
140
'45.
Peel's tariff; railway mania.
'46
4-5
57-8
12-8"
'46.
Commercial panic ; Corn laws repealed ;
>
12-7-^
Spanish marriages.
'47
4-7
58-8
12-5
'47.
Gold discovered in California.
'48
50
52-8
10-4~
'48.
Chartist demonstration in London ;
revolutionary movements in Europe.
'49
5-4
63-6
11-7
11-4
120
1850
5-9
71-3
12- 1 "
'51
6-5
74-4
11-5
1851.
Discovery of gold in Australia.
'52
6-9
78-0
11-3^
'53
7-6
98-8
1301
12-3 J
1 '^-V i
'53.
Australian mint established.
'54
7-9
971
1^ t ->
'54.
Crimean war.
* These are
accurate averages allowing for fractions omitted in previous columns.
In this table and the corresponding curve, a correction is
necessary to place it in series with the following table, bj adding
7"3 per cent, to the tonnage before the 1st January, 1855, and by
diminishing the average value per register ton by a corresponding
amount. A similar correction is required in Table 1, and the
corresponding curves, for the years 1854 and 1855.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
31
Table VI. — Coutinuatioyr of the f receding Table for each Year from
1855 to ] 886 ; together ivith Quinquennial Arerages, and the
Corresponding Average Value of a Ton of Exports of all kinds,
including Colonial and Foreign Merchandise, calculated. 1 hy an
addition of the Percentage Value of re-exports, and 2 ^(,pon the
Average Value of a Register Ton of Total Exports, as shown in
Table' I.
(ComjDiled from "Statistical Abstracts.")
Average Value per
Average Value per Kegi.ster
Value of Ex-
ports o\ Britisli
and Irish
Produce and
Manufactures.
Registei Ton.
Ton of Total Exports.
Tears.
Tonnage
cleared
with
Cargoes.
Years.
Quinquen-
nial
Calculated by
addition
of Percentage
Calculated on
Average Value
per Ton of
Averages.
Proportion
of Value
Total Exports,
according to
of re-exports.
Table I.
Milln. tons
Milln. £
£
£
£
£
1855. ..
8-3
95-7
11-4"!
'56....
9
7
115-8
11
9 1
'57....
10
3
122
11
8h
11-9
14-2
14-4
'58....
9
9
116-6
11-
7
'59....
10
2
130-4
12
7J
I860....
10
8
135-9
12
6"^
'61....
11
3
125 1
11-
'62....
11
7
124-0
10
<^ )■
11-9
15-5
15-5
'63....
11
9
]46-6
12
3|
'64...
12
2
160 -4
13
u
'65...
12-
8
165-8
12
9^
'66....
14
188-9
13
4
2^
'67....
14
8
180-9
12
12-4
15-7
15-8
'68....
15
5
179-7
11
6
'69...
15-
9
189-9
11
9J
1870....
16
7
199-6
12
o^
'71....
19
223-1
11
7|
'72....
19
2
256-2
13
n
12-5
15-4
15-4
'73....
19
1
265-2
13
31
'74....
19
7
239-5
12
IJ
'75...
20
4
223-5
10
91
'76...
21
5
200 -6
9
3
'77...^
21
2
198-9
9
3 .
9
9-4
12-0
120
'78....
21
6
192-8
8
'79....
22
8
191-5
8
4J
1880...
25
6
223-0
8
7"
'81...
26
3
234-0
8
8
'82....
27
7
241-5
8
6 >
8-3
10-5
10-8
'83....
29
•4
239-8
8
1 1
'84....
29
3
233
7
-9J
'85...
'86..
29
29
•3
•1
213 -0
212 4
7
7
1}
7-3
9-3
9-2
'87....
30
■2
221-4
7
3
'88....
31-7
233 -7
7-4
The main deduction to be dr;i,wn from these tables, -whicli is
shown in a striking form in tlie curves attached to them in Table 7,
is, that although prices ranged much higher before the years.
32
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-^
1845-46, when Sir R. Peel established his tariff, and the corn
laws were repealed, the fluctuations were much more frequent and
more violent before those years than subsequently, and that from
the year 1848, when the opei-ation of those two great changes
may be supposed to have wrought their chief immediate effects,
there was an almost continuous uniformity of price down to the
year 1874, broken only on rare occasions, generally brought about
by external influences, and then only to a slight extent. This
will be seen in the following extracts : —
Average
I'rice.
£
,.y~ /-average lyZ
'36
'37
21-3
161
Years.
Average
Price.
£
12-7
,.,q i- average 17'3
'401
'•il 1
'42 i
'43/
'44
'45
151
average 13'2
15-8
140
'r avee.
12-3 t>£i|.o
84G 1
,^^ I average
'48-52 11-4"^
'53-54 12-9
'55-60 120
'61-62 10-1
'63
'64-66 131
'67-71 11-9
'72-73 13 3
'74 121J
There has been a still greater unif(jrmity since 1876 from year
to year, but there has been an almost continuous decline. The
great break and sudden decline occurred in the years 1875-76 : —
£ £
1875 10-9 I 1878-83 86
'76-77 9-3 I '84-86 7-3
b. Ctirves of the same, 1834-54.
The Table 7 of the cnrves of Exports from 1834-54 has been
framed to correspond as closely as possible with that of the curves
of total Exports from 1854-87, Table 4. The two cannot be made
to correspond exactly, because the declared value of re-exports
were not recorded in the earlier period ; but inasmuch as the
amount varied slightly from year to year, and continued to
diminish as the series went backward, the curve approximates
closely to that which would represent the total Exports; and as it
is calculated upon the same ba.sis as that for 1854-87, viz., the
tonnage and declared value of 1854, the whole may be viewed as
indicative of the actual line of progress from 1834 to 1887.
It will be seen that at the commencement of the earlier period
pi'ices ruled very much higher than in 1854, or at any subsequent
date, and if the value of re-exports were added, those prices would
h'lve been still higher, probably 6 per cent, in the earlier, increasing
to 12 per cent, in the later, years. On the other hand the curves
of quantity and value at the earlier period are in a corresponding
degree below those of 1854 and subsequent years.
^-^^'^^''=- ^N^
L-\-lJ^
IS3i e 7 8 9 iC 1 23450789501 3 3 t\
vJ\ i
iB Y '■ ii
Z \ .' ', CirvtoFPnce. z
\ '' \ W ( «Te of fitiantiiy -
;.- ■ ■■■' :
i83i Bisswiiats&jaaioiss*
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 33
They exhibit in a striking form —
1. The continuous growth of the tonnage, or qunntitj,
increasing slowly during the first half of the period,
and with much greater rapidity during the latter half.
2. The rapid fall and extreme variations in the curves of price
up to the year 1846.
3. The rapid increase in value subsequent to this date, notwith-
standing thtt heavy fall of prices in 1847, owing to the
combined effect of a recovery of prices and an increase of
quantity.
§ 3. Export of Coal ; a new Index Number for Exports.
The annexed table exhibits a view, probably unexpected, of the
extent and growth of the exportation of Coal during the years
1854-87, of the amount of tonnage required for its carriage, and
of the proportion v^hich such tonnage bore to the total tonnage
cleared with cargoes. The balance shows the tonnage employed
in the exportation of all other articles in the same years. The
table also exhibits the annual fluctuations in the quantities of coal
exported, in the amount of tonnage cleared with cai'goes, and in
the price of coal.
In addition to the remarks at p. 13, it may be noted that while
the relation between the quantity of coal exported and the total
tonnage cleared in the first five years 1854-58 was 61 to 100, it
was 78 to 100 in the five years 1882-86, showing so far the increased
influence of the export of coal on the total tonnage. But it must
not be overlooked that daring this period there has been a very
large increase in the carrying capacity of the tonnage employed.
The average annual increase in the export of coal during the
whole period has been about half a million tons, and has only
thrice amounted to one million or more, viz., in the years 1874-76,
and 1880. In the year 1873, when the price of coal reached its
highest point, 20s. 5rf., the export fell from 13'2 to 12'6 millions of
tons.
As regards the value of the coal exported, it amounted upon
the average of the whole period to only 2" 75 per cent, of the tcjtal
value of British Exports. In the three years 1872-74, when the
average price of the other 30 years rose from 9a'. 6rf. to 17s. 7d. a
ton, the above propoi-tion only rose from 2"75 to 3'8 per cent. The
average price of coal in 1854-58 had cjuly fallen in 1884-88 from
*Js. bd. to 8s. hd. a ton.
34
Manfime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Table VIIa. — Export and Price of Coal; Tonnage Cleared wifli
Cual, and all other AH ides, in each Yfur, 1854-87.
Qu.intitifs of Coal
Tonnage
>f Vessels
Percentage Increaee
Exported.*
Cleared wi
h Cargoe.s.
or Decrease.
Average
Price of Coal
per Ton.
Tons
Ton.s
Total.
Exclusive
Coals.
Total
Weight.
Capacity.
of Coal.
Tonnage.
Milln.
Milln.
Milln. lon.'i
Milln. tons
,v
1851...
4-3
2-9
7-9
50
95
'55....
50
3-2
8-3
5-1
15" +
51 +
9-5
'56....
5-9
3-9
9-7
5-7
18 „
150 „
9-3
'57....
6-7
4-5
10-3
5-8
14 „
7-0 „
9-3
'58....
6-5
4-3
99
5-6
3 -
3-8 -
91
'59....
7-0
4-7
10-2
5-6
8 +
30 +
9-2
1800....
7-3
4-9
10-8
5-9
4 „
5-3 „
8-9
'61
7-8
5-2
11-3
61
7 ,,
50 „
90
'62....
8-3
5-5
11-7
62
6 „
3-4 „
8-9
'63....
8-3
5-5
11-9
6-4
0-6„
1-5 „
8-8
'64:....
8-8
5-9
12-2
6-8
7 „
2-4 „
9-3
'65....
9-2
61
12-8
6-6
4 „
5-4 „
9-5
'66....
9-9
6-6
140
7-4
9 ,,
90 „
101
'67....
l(,-4
6-9
14-8
7-9
4 „
5-9 „
10-2
'68....
10-8
7-3
15-5
8-2
4 „
4-2 .,
9-7
'69....
10-7
7-2
15-9
8-8
1 -
2-6 „
9-4
1870....
11-7
7-8
16-7
8-9
9 +
6-2 „
9o
'71....
12-7
8-5
190
10-6
8 „
13-9 „
9-6
'72....
13-2
8-8
19-2
1(1-5
4 „
1-0 „
15-5
'7:i....
12-6
8-4
191
10-7
4 -
0-5 -
20-5
'74...
13-9
9-3
19-7
l(.-5
10 +
3-2 +
170
'75....
14o
9-7
20-4
lu-7
4 n
3-3 „
13 1
'76....
16-3
10-9
21-5
10-6
12 „
5-3 „
10-8
'77....
15-4
10-3
21-2
lU-9
5 -
1-5 -
10-0
'78....
15-5
10-3
21-6
11-2
0-6 +
1-8 +
9-3
'79....
16-4
110
22-8
11-9
6 „
5-9 „
8-6
1880....
lS-7
12-5
25-6
13-2
14 „
12-4 „
8-8
'81....
IS -6
131
26-9
13-8
5 ,.
2-5 „
8-8
'82...
20 9
140
27-7
13-7
6 „
5-2 „
90
'83....
22-8
152
29-4
13-2
9 ..
60 „
9-2
'84....
23-3
15-5
29-3
13-5
3 „
0-3 -
9-2
'85....
23-8
15-8
29-3
13-5
2 „
Nil
8-8
'86....
23-3
15-5
291
13-6
2 -
10 -
8-3
'87....
21-5
16-5
30-2
13-7
5 +
5-7 +
8-1
'88....
270
180
31-7
13-7
10 „
5-0 „
8-4
* Exclusive of bunker coal, or coal sliip})cd for the consumption of steamers
en£;agecl in tlie foreign trade, -wliic-li in tlie last three years*, 1886-88, has averaged
6'9 million.s of tons.
The next table ha.s been compiled to show in jnxta-position the
average value per register ton of all imports and Exports, as
calculated in Table I (p. 18), and the value of all Exports other
than coal, dividing the trade into periods corresponding closely
with those arransfed in Table I.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
35
Table VIIb. — Average Value per Register Ton, of Total Imports and
JE.qyorts, also of Exports exclusive of Coal, calculated by tlie
omission of the Estimated Register Tonnage and the Declared
Value of that article exported, at Ports of the United Kingdom,
in each Year from 1854 to 1887.
Value per Register Ton.
Imports.
Total.
Periods.
Years.
Total.
Exports.
Total, Exclusive of Coal.
Tears.
20-3
20-,
20-3
14-6
^ 20-1
14-9
r iii-8
lG-3
19-6
197
19-4
10-2
151
19-6
13-8
rr;-8
11-9
17-8
11-9
17-3
111.
17-4 <
17-2
10-9
171
HI
^171
11-3
l
'87
19-0
198
'88
20-9
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-^
37
7°. A monthly table similar to that at p. 26, but for Exports
onlj, exclusive of coal, brings out more distinctly the fluctuations
in the price of general merchandise, and the fact that there has
been an improvement in the present year from £19"0 in 1886 and
£W-S in 1887 to £21-0 per ton.
Mrmtlihi Exports, Exclusive of Coal.
Months.
Average Value per Kegistcr Ton.
1886.
1887.
1888.
Average.
January "
£
20-7
20-2
22-9
17-6
16-8
191
17-4
19-8
18-1
ISO
18-0
211
£
21-6
21-2
20-7
18-2
16-7
18-5
19-6
18-3
19-6
19-7
19-3
211
£
20-9
23-6
21-9
190
20-4
20«
22-2
20-8
180
210
221
21-3
£
20- 11
February
2111
March
21-8
April
Mav
18-3
1710
June
19-4
July
19-8
August
19-6
JSeptember
18-6
October
i9-<:
November
1911
December
21-2
Average of year
19-0
19-8
21-0
19-9
To complete and embody the suggestion of a new index number
for Exports, a curve has been prepared, which shows the quantity,
value, iiid price of Exports, exclusive of Coal, in each year from
lb34 to 1887, taking, as before, 1854 as the base line, in order to
afford the means of comparison with the curves No.s. 4 and 7, which
include coal, and show the whole of the Export trade. The figures
for the series are given in the next page.
In this table and the corresponding curves the tonnage is
stated throughout according to the new admeasurement, and.
lO per cent, has been added to the value in order to meet the
xalue of foreign and colonial merchandise re-exported. Some
remarks upon these curves are desirable.
1. It will be seen, on comparing them with the preceding
curves which include coal, how little the curve of value is
changed by its omission between 1834 and 1887. In fact the
value of coal exported in the first year of the series amounted to
only 4-8 per cent, of the total value of Exports, and in the last
year to 3"7 per cent. It is only in years when tliere was a large
increase in the export of coal, such as 1874-76-80, that the curve
of total Exports is sensibly modified by the eliminaticm of coal.
The contrast between the proportions of value and quantify is very
striking. In the first year the proportion of tonnage employed iv
38 Maritime Trade of the TJnUed Kingdom, 1854 88.
the export of Coal to total Export tonnage was 10" 7 per cent. ; in
1887 it had increased to .54-7.
2. The curve of Quantity also changed biit little before 1854,
starting a little below the curve of Yalne, and rising gradually, not
subject to the same violent fluctuations as the curves of Price and
Value. From 1854 to 1867 it rose in the same direction as those
two curves, but considerably below both. In 1867 the curve of
Price, which had reached its liighest point in 1865, had begun to
fall, but the curve of Quantity continued its upward course in the
same direction as that of Value, thus maintaining the latter,
notwithstanding the fall in Price, until 1870, when the curve of
Value made an extraordinary upward shoot, reaching its highest
point in 1872, while the curve of Quantity rose but slowly, with
much oscillation, until 1876. It then shot upward until 18'!*,
when it met the curve of Value, which had fallen continuously
from 1871 to 1878, and the two ran parallel and close together
until 1881, denoting a comparative steadiness of price during that
period. The curve of Quantity then fell for a couple of yeai-s,
1882-83, when it recovered itself and rose steadily to its highest
point in 1887.
3. The difference between the closing point in 1887 of Export
Tonnage without Coal, as compared with the same including Coal,
was as 136 to 302 millions of tons. The difference in value at
the same point was as 271 to 281 million £.
4. As regards the curve of Price, the most conspicuous differ-
ence is the lowering of the scale, especially in the years 1848 to
1852, which may be accounted for by an insufficient allowance
(10 per cent.) for Re-exports. This arbitrary addition to one of
the factors necessarily detracts from the worth of this part of the
table, previous to 1854, but does not affect the rest; and the curve
when taken in connection with that in Table 7, where no such
addition was made, shows distinctly the great fluctuations and
heavy falls in prices which occurred before the year 1852, and the
commencement in that year of an almost continuous rise up to
18G5. From the latter year the curve in its general outline agrees
with the curve of total Exports, and confirms the statement made
at p. 14, that the elimination of the Export of Coal does not
materially affect the review of the general Export trade in pei-iods,
or even from year to year, beyond raising the price of the mass of
other Exports throughout the whole series.
4. The most striking feature is that although prices have
fallen greatly from the height which they reached in 18(54, they
were but slightly lower in 1885-87 than they were in 1854, and are
now higher tlian they were in 1848-51, after making full allowance
foj- the possible error noticed in the preceding paragraph.
1 2
3
f\3
6
7
S
9^dJ
J
2
3
3e.
\
7 2
3
t^
5
6
7
5
9
7C
/
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
98
6^1
2
3
4
5
6
7
S, i:
>gar^ S^66789KfS34Se7aSUrS3f&6789 10 /'3t5S7a ) Vt S 3 4^ 5 S 7 8 9 K I 2 3 'fS 6 7
i T ^
i 1 1
; T..L« 7?
2 Curves of Exports ffiom the United Kingdom.
,i LA ^^l^--^ic
i / \ i V/:
: 7^ 7 :
gi -I -- y'- „ - so
- C iirt ir P-i -e J ■, ^ -
3i_,,.l; /^^/ _L A, i„
: Cur, (/■ Vilit.:. .7 1 -"
li-^..MJ«lj ir7»3W/2J'»jei7»9lS]5<7»9 7li/Jj«i«7«9«;2J»J«7
Marifime Tradu of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
30
5. Turning lastly to the table on which these curves are based,
it is satisfactory to notice how distinctly it I'epresents periods of
inflation and depression. Mr. Griffen notices and defines two of
each of these in his report of 1879, viz. : — Of inflation 1863-GH and
1871-73, and of depression 1867-69 and 1875-77 ; and each of
these periods is clearly defined in this table.
In one instance, 1871-73, the change took place a year later
tlian that indicated by Mr. GifFen, and it may be a subject deserv-
ing of inquiry whether changes in the declared value of Imports
and Exports precede or follow changes in the market prices of
commodities. The succession of almost triennial periods of rise
and fall in prices during the above period from 1863 to 1878 is
worthy of notice.
Table VIIc. — Tonnage cleared with Cargoes and Value of Exports,
both exclusive of Goal, aiui average Value of a Register Ton of
Exports exclusive of Goal, in each. Year from 1834 to 1887.
Export
s from the United Kingdom, exclusive of Coal.
Years.
Tonnage
cleared.
Value.
Average
Vdlue of
Register Ton.
Years.
Tonnage
cleared.
Value.
Average
Value of
Register Ton.
Milln. tons.
Milln. £
£
Milln. tons.
Milln. £
£
1834
1-9
45-6
24-0
1861
6-1
156-1
25-5
'35
20
51-8
25-9
'62
6-2
162-5
26-3
'36
2-0
58-3
28-1
'63
6-4
192-7
30-0
'.37
2-0
45-7
22-8
'64
68
2U8-2
30-6
'38
2-2
551
25-0
'65
6-6
213-7
32-2
'39
2-3
57-9
25-2
'm
74
2335
31-6
'67
7-9
221-3
28-0
IS 10
2-5
55-8
22-3
'68
8-2
222 1
27-2
'41
2-5
55-9
224
'69
8-8
231-8
26-4
'■J2
2-5
50-6
2U-2
'43
2-7
5(>-7
21-0
1870
8-9
238-4
26-7
'44
2-7
636
23-6
'71
10-5
277-3
26-3
'45
2-8
650
23-2
'72
10-4
304-2
29-1
•46
3
62-5
20-4
'73
10-7
297-8
27-8
•47
3-3
63-7
19-3
'74
105
285-6
27-2
'48
34
56-9
16-7
'75
10-7
271-9
25-3
'49
3-8
57-8
15-2
'76
10-6
247-9
23-2
'77
10-7
24I.-5
22-4
1850
3-9
66-1
16-9
'78
11-2
238-2
21-1
'51
4-5
69-4
15-4
'79
11-9
241-6
20-3
'52
4-8
84:4
17-5
'53
5-3
1070
20-2
1880
l:V2
2780
21-0
'54
5-4
113-7
21-0
'81
13-8
288-3
20-9
'55
5-2
114-3
21-9
'82
13-7
297- 1
21-6
'56
5-7
136-4
2:{-7
'83
13-2
291-8
22-3
'57
5-8
143-0
2 11-
'84
13-5
2sr)-2
21-1
'58
5-6
136-8
•2 1 • 1
'85
13-5
2()0-8
19 3
'59
5-6
152-4
27-3
'86
13-6
2o8-9
19-0
'S7
13-7
270-8
19-8
1860
5-9
160-9
273
•,ss
13-7
2S7-8
2()-9
40
§ 3. rrcrportions of Chief Covstitnents.
The next two tables, the materials for which are gathered from
Mr. Giffen's reports, show the proportion in which each of the
principal articles of Import and Export enumerated by him enter
into the composition of the total amount of the trade of the United
Kingdom. The yeai-s are not continuous ; they are those for which
the data are supplied in the reports.
T\i;r,K VIII. — Percentage Prajwrtion which each of the jirincipal Articles Imforted
of Years, not consecutive,
(Coiiipilpil from " Bonrd of Trade Reports
1854.
1855.
1857.
1859.
1861.
1863.
1865.
1866.
A. Art ides of Food.
1 . Corn, grain, and uioal of all kinds
2. Hii^ar, raw, refined, and molasses
3. Tea ,
14-25
7-U7
3-64
2-37
1-42
1-03
0-75
0-59
0-59
063
5-39
37-73
1219
7-65
3-64
2-14
1-43
1-18
102
0-43
0-72
0-99
5-19
10-31
8-73
2-49
2-17
1-10
0-92
0-81
0-56
0-52
1-08
511
10-07
6-99
3 24
1-55
1-16
109
0-84
0-16
0-58
1-23
3-70
16-05
609
3-15
1-78
2-25
1-21
0-93
0-62
0-75
0-99
4-66
10-42
4-97
4-28
1-81
1-82
1-67
0-98
1-10
0-76
0-92
4-54
7-64
4-80
3-71
1-44
219
1-70
2-05
0-79
0-91
0-81
4-02
10-18
4-14 '
3-80
1-60
2-02
1-38
1-78
0-64
0-95
0-73
4-13
4. Wine
5 Butter
(1. Coffee
7. Animals, cattle, and sheep
8. Bacon and hams
9. Cheese
111. Fruit
11. Oilier
Total
36-58
33-80
30-91
38-4'. Silk, raw, thrown and k'lubs
16. Fla.K and tow, dressed & undressed
17. Metals
18. Flas and linseed
19. Guano
20. Tallow and etearine
21. Hemp and jute
22. Oils, palm
23. „ other
24. Hides and skins
25. Leather
26. Indigo . ..
27. Other
Total
47-69
49-07
53-61
47-65
52-11
55-13
53-71
C. Other ^^ enumerated" Articles. \
Total /
2-66
88-08
1192
3-29
2-52
2-54
2-45
3-00
2-92
2-68
,, " unenunicrated " ,,
88-94
11-06
89-93
10-07
88-88
11-12
88-58
11-42
88-33
11-62
88-11
11-89
87-74
12-26
100-00
Total
10000
100 00
100-00
100 00
100-00
100 00
100-00
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 18o4-J
41
a. Imports.
TIio Imports extend from 1654 to 1886, and are classed under
four heads : —
a. Articles of food. c. Other " enumerated " articles.
b. Raw materials. d. " Unenumerated " articles.
The Exports, which comprise only the Produce and Manufac-
tures of the United Kingdom, do not call for the same distinctions,
and are divided into "enumerated" and "unenumerated." They
extend backwards to the year 1840, and are shown at pp. 42 and 43.
into the United Kingdom contributed to the Total Value of such Imports, in a series
extending from 1854 to 1886.
on Prices of Exports and Imports.")
1870.
1871.
1875.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1868.
1873.
1877.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
13-38
11-26
12-90
1394
14-20
16-12
16-88
15-29
15-32
15-85
12-31
14-36
12-45
510
5-79
5-59
5-71
5-87
6-93
6-16
5-59
6-15
589
5-08
4-98
457
4-22
3-33
3-52
3-06
3-68
3-16
3-10
2-82
2-82
2-70
2-69
2-87
3-23
1-85
1-59
2-14
2-23
1-82
1-81
1-48
1-57
1-42
1-28
1-37
1-38
1-46
2- 15
2-24
2-10
1-87
2-27
2-42
2-86
2-95
2-74
2-76
3-22
312
317
••l
1-65
1-63
1-63
1-95
201
1-97
1-95
1-67
1-20
1-16
0-96
0-89
0-91.
1-82
1-28
1-31
1-21
1-63
1-38
1-79
2-30
1-97
2-50
2-37
2-11
1-86
0-61
0-58
0-82
1-68
1-87
1-74
2-44
2 68
2-70
2-35
2-24
2-34
2-40
0-87
1-08
i-oi
1-09
126
1-21
1-05
1-24
1-32
1-15
1-28
1-10
111
0-86
0-71
0-95
0-82
102
1-10
1-05
0-80
101
0-98
1-09
l-('5
0-97
3-40
5-13
4-99
5-97
5-52
6-22
6-84
6-35
6-15
6-31
6-50
6-97
41-17
6-98
35-91
34-02
36-96
39-53
41-15
4406
45-60
43-26
42-83
42-93
3911
11-41
39-14
18-73
17-63
1689
14-73
12-37
898
9-97
10-40
1104
10-55
9-83
10-90
404
4-34
3-65
5 06
4-12
514
2-96
4-07
3-78
4-03
3-86
4-12
3-(;o
5-13
5-21
542
5-26
6-27
6-23
6-49
6-41
6-55
5-«5
6 -80
5-71
6-45
3-74
307
2-96
1-99
1-06
1-24
1-09
1-00
085
0-88
1-18
0-63
0-74
1-25
li)'.)
1-78
1-44
1-20
1-32
1-01
102
88
0-70
0-80
0-89
0-71
2-40
2-20
2-27
2-,'^ 5
2-81
2-51
2-51.
2-47
2-46
2-55
2-72
2-78
2-67
1-49
1-32
1-11
1-11
1-37
1-15
113
104
110
112
0-98
1-18
1-21
0G9
1-15
0-60
0-57
0-35
0-42
0-19
0-20
0-12
0-17
Oil
007
0-15
102
1-09
0-95
0-85
0-55
065
0-58
0-56
0-53
0-49
0-54
0-43
Oal
1-36
144
1-82
1-60
1-28
1-24
1-35
1-41
1-53
1-62
1-46
1-47
1-36
0-64
0-52
0-55
0-46
0-40
0-41
0-37
0-37
0-30
0-31
0-36
0-33
0-30
110
105
1-22
1-Ot
103
89
0-83
0-69
0-80
0-73
0-65
0-67
0-61
1-20
1-54
1-56
1-80
1-54
1-25
1-18
1-39
1-23
1-34
1-53
1-58
1-61
0-39
0-42
0-54
78
1-00
100
95
1-10
1-21
1-28
1-39
1-56
1-68
0-97
0-90
0-89
0-66
0-43
0-42
0-53
0-42
0-59
0-58
0-64
057
0-55
3-65
416
3-93
3-31
3-76
3-43
2-99
3-55
3 14
4-03
4-55
4-46
4-50
40-00
48-03
4614
43-25
39-54
36-28
34-16
36-10
36-11
36-23
38-98
36 28
37-31
2-79
2-67
302
2-82
304
3-15
2-70
2-50
2-75
2-66
1-93
216
217
86-70
84-72
86-12
85-60
83-73
83-49
82-46
81-86
81-69
81-82
80-02
79-61
78-62
1330
15-28
13-88
14-40
16-27
16-51
17-54
1814
18-31
18-18
19-98
20-39
21-38
100-00
10000
100-00 100-00
100-00 100-00
100-00
100-00
100-00
100-00
100-00
100-00
100-00
42
M'iritinia Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
In examining this and the following tables, the remarks
made in the note at p. 3 must be borne in mind. The class of
" unenumerated " articles contains a large number, of which the
value is stated, many of which are of great importance, and which,
would swell in different propoi-tions the three groups of A. B. C,
the latter of which consists chiefly of manufactures. The labour
of eliminating and distributing these for the series of years would
be too great, but the following epitome for the two extreme years
will give an idea of the results oE such an operation.
In 1854 this class amounted to 2"5 per cent, of the whole, and
consisted of only 4 articles, all maimfactures, viz., clocks and
watches, and manufactures of hair, silk, and wool. In 1886 it
amounted to ll'l per cent., 'and consisted of 27 articles, of which
3, amounting to 0'6 per cent., belonged to Group A ; 9, amounting
to 2"4 per cent., belonged to Group B; and 15, amounting to 8'1
per cent., belonged to Group C*
The first Table (VIIT), relating to Imports, exhibits the follow-
ing results : —
1. On the average of the twenty-one years the relative pro-
portion of each class was : —
Per cent,
Of articles of food 37-99
,, raw materials 41-32
,, otiier eiminerated articles 2-69
„ unenumerated ,,
85-001
Uoo
15-00 J
2. The differences between the first and last years of the period,
with the necessary correction by apportioning the known items of
the unenumerated class, was as follows . —
1854.
1886.
Of aitirlcs of food
., r^t w materials
37-73
47-69
5-16
39-74
39-71
,, other enumerated articles
10-27
Total
90-58
89-72
Of unenumerated articles
9-42
1028
10000
100-00
I'hus tlie propoi'tion of ai'ticles of
Food lias increased 5'3 per cent.
Haw materials has decreased 16-9 „
Otlier enumerated articles has increased 99 „
Unenumerated articles has increased 91 „
3. In the year 1886 ten articles in the first class, viz., corn and
grain of all kinds, sugar, tea, wine, butter, coffee, cattle and
* The details of these are given at p. 48.
Maritime Trade of the United Kivgdom, 1854-88.
43
sheep, haeon and hams, cheese and fruit composed 32"2 of the total
Imports ; corn and grain alone constituted 12"4 per cent. In the
years 1880-83 the last named had ccntiibuted 15"5 per cent.
4. In comparing the latest year, 1886, with one of the earliest,
it is desirable not to take the tirst or second year, 1854-55, during
which commerce was deranged by the Crimean war, nor 1856,
which was affected by the reaction consequent upon the peace, and
for which, indeed, the data are not given, but rather 1857. Com-
paring then 1886 with 1857, which w^as a fairly average year,
the total Importation —
Of all food Had increased from 33'8 to 39-1 per cent.
„ corn and grain .... „
» tea ,,
„ butter „
„ coffee „
„ cattle and slieep.... „
„ bacon and hams.... „
„ cheese
sugar Had decreased from 8 7
wine ,,
fruit ,,
other articles Had increased from
3 ,
12-4
2-5 ,
3-2
11 ,
, 3-2
0-9 ,
0-9
0-8 ,
, 1-9
0-6 ,
2-4
0-5 ,
11
8-7 ,
, 4-6
2-2 ,
1-5
11 ,
1-0
51 ,
7-0
5. The extremes of fluctuation during the twenty-one years
ranged —
For corn and grain .... From 7'6 per cent, in 1865 to 169 per cent, in 1879
corn and grain .... Frc
sugar ,
tea ,
m7-6
4-1
2-5
wine
1-3
butter ,
11
coffee ,
cattle and sliecp... ,
bacon and hams .... ,
clieese ,
fruit ,
0-9
0-7
0-2
0-5
06
other articles ,
3-4
'66 „
8-73
'57 ,
4-3
'83 „
2-4
'57 ,,
3-2
'85 „
20
'54 „
2-5
'59 „
2-7
'57 ,
1-3
'54 „
1-2
'68 ,
7-0
'63
'54
'83
'81
'81
'59
'86
or more than 100 per cent, for most of the ai'ticles. The minor
articles in this class have fluctuated in like manner between 34
per cent, in 1868, and 7 per cent, in 1886.
The population of the United Kingdom increased between the
same two years 30" 2 per cent.
6. Extending a similar comparison to raw materials, fifteen
articles or classes of articles, viz., raw cotton, wood and timber,
sheep's wool, silk, flax and tow, metals, flax and lin.seed, guano,
tallow, hemp and jute, oils, liides and skins, leather and indigo,
composed 32'8 per cent, of the total Imports in the year 1886, and
of this 109, 01' exactly a third, consisted of raw cotton.
44 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
7. Comparing the year 1886 with 1857, the following changes,
some of which are very notable, have taken place ; but it must be
borne in mind that the changes are relative, not actual. The pro-
portion of the total importation —
Of all raw materials.... Had decreased from 53*6 to 37'3 per cent.
„ „ cotton „ 15-6 „ 10-9
,, wood and timber... ,, 51 „ 3'6 ,,
„ silk „ 7-8 „ 0-7
„ Uax and tow ,, 1-9 „ 0-7 „
,, ,, linseed .... „ 1"6 „ 1"2 „
,, guano „ 1"9 „ O'l „
„ tallow and steariue „ 1'8 „ 04 ,,
„ palm oil „ 1-0 „ O'S
,, other oils „ 1'8 „ 6 „
„ hides and skins .... „ 2"-l* „ 1'6 „
„ indigo „ 1-2 „ 0-5 ,,
„ sheep's wool Had increased from 5'1 „ 6'4 „
„ metals „ 2o „ 27 „
„ hemp and jute .... ,, 10 ,, 1"4 ,,
„ leather „ 04 „ 1'6 ,,
„ other articles „ 25 „ 45 „
8. The extremes of fluctuation during these years had been for
each article severally : —
* An exceptionally large importation.
Table IX. — Percentage Proportion ichich each of the principal Articles of British and Irish
of such Exports, in a series of yeart,, vol
(Compiled from the Board of Tradt-
1840.
1841.
1S45.
1848.
1849.
1S52.
lSo3.
1854.
1855.
1857.
1859.
1 -1
1.3 -b
31-8
1-6
6-2
3-1
2-4
0-9
10-0
1-3
14-1
29-1
1-9
6-1
3-8
2-6
1-1
10-7
70-7
8-6
1-5
11-6
30-1
1-8
4-6
3-8
2-1
1-8
12-3
49-6
7-5
2-0
11-2
29-7
0-9
4-8
6-9
2-9
]-5
10-4
1-6
10-5
29-6
1-2
4-9
5-9
3-7
1-7
11-0
1-7
8-5
27-8
1-5
4-8
6-2
2-8
1-8
10-8
1-5
7-0
24-2
1 2
4-4
8-1
2-S
1-5
9-8
2-0
6-9
24 -2
1-0
3-9
8-6
2-5
1-6
9-0
60-5
6-9
67-4
32-6
2-4
7-5
27-3
10
3-9
7-1
3-0
2-0
7-6
2-5
7-1
23-6
1-4
3-4
12 -3
3-3
2-3
8-1
2-4
7-3
28-4
1-3
3-3
10-7
2-;
2-2
8-7
"-'. Cotton yarn
70-9
8-2
70-3
6-2
70-1
6-0
68-9
4-2
60-0
7-3
61-7
9-0
64-0
3-6
67-6
32-4
67-0
3-4
70-4
29-6
79-1
20-9
100 -J
79-3
77-1
76-5
23-5
76-1
23-9
73-1
26-9
67-3
32-7
100-0
70-7
29-3
,. of articles " unenunicrated " and
20-7 22-9
100-0
Total
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
Note. — ^The sudden rise in the proportion of iron and steel, and the corresponding fall in that of all other " enumerated "
likewise a small proportion of yellow metal and of linen manufactures were similarly arranged under their
pcricd.
b. Exports.
The pecnnd Table (IX), relating to Exports, exhibits the follow-
ing results : —
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 4-5
Of raw cotton From 9'0 per cent, in 1877 to 26'3 per cent, in ISGfi
,, wood and timber... „ 3"0 „ '79 ,, 7'7 ,, '•il'
,, sheep's wool „ 4"3 „ '54 „ 6"8 ,, '84
., silk „ 0-9 „ '81 „ 7-8 ,. '57
„ flax and tow „ 07 „ '83 „ 2-3 „ '55
„ metals „ 20 „ '54 „ 2-8 „ '75
„ flax and linseed .... „ I'O „ '84 „ 18 „ '55
,, guano „ 01 „ '85 „ 22 ,, '55
„ tallow „ 0-4 „ '86 „ 1-8 „ '55
„ hemp and jute .... „ 09 ,, '61 „ 1'8 „ '71
r '81 1
„ palm oil ,, 0-3 ,, < ,gj, V „ 1-2 „ '55
„ other oils „ 06 „ '86 „ 2-5 „ '55
„ hides and skins .... „ I'l ,, '65 „ 2'4 ,, '57
„ leather „ 02 „ '61 „ 16 „ '86
„ indigo „ 0-4 „ { '8o}" l'-^ » '61
„ other articles „ 1"6 „ '55 „ 4-5 „ '84
It will be seen that the fluctuations, which in articles of food
did not much exceed 100 per cent., have seldom been less than
300 per cent., and have been in some cases much higher. In both
classes variations in price have had a great if not the greatest
influence in constituting the proportion of each article in each year.
9. There has been a tolerably steady increase throughout the
period of unenumerated articles, interrupted only by a fall in 1861,
and a sudden rise, not maintained, in 1870.
Produce and Manufactures Exported from the United Kingdom contributed to the Total Value
consecutive, extending from 1840 to 1886.
Reports of Prices of Exports and Imports.)
1863.
1868.
1873.
1877.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1861.
1865.
1866.
1870.
1871.
1875.
1879.
1880.
18S1
2-7
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-9
2-7
2-6
4-8
4-1
3-8
3-5
3-5
3-5
4-2
4-4
4-7
4-3
7-4
6-5
6-2
7-2
8-2
7-4
6-8
6-2
5-9
6-1
6-3
5-3
ft-t,
5-6
5-9
5-6
5-4
2S-9
25-6
27-1
30-7
27-9
26-8
24-0
22^0
24-0
26-4
24-5
25-8
25-3
•23-1
22 -2
22-6
23-6
1-3
1-7
1-5
1-3
1-3
1-1
1-0
0-8
0-8
0-6
0-6
0-4
0-5
0-4
0-5
0-5
(1-4
2-9
4-2
5-3
4-9
4-1
3-8
3-6
3-2
3-5
3-4
3-5
3-4
3-4
3-0
3-0
2-8
2-9
8-9
10-1
9-5
9-1
10-0
12-1
11-6
14-8
11-0
10-2
10-1
12-8
11-8
11-8
10-6
10-3
10-1
2-.0
4-0
2-6
2-1
2-6
2-4
2-3
2-1
2-3
2-5
2-4
2-3
2-2
2-1
2-2
2-1
2-0
2-7
3-3
3-1
2-4
3-5
2-5
2-7
2-1
2-3
1-8
1-9
1-5
1-4
1-4
1-7
2-1
2-1
8 f>
10-0
11-7
11-0
10-5
10-5
11-7
9-2
9-2
8-2
7-6
7-1
7-2
7-1
8-0
8-2
s-fJ
ef,-%
6ii-8
6^-5
71-2
71-0
69-3
66-3
6'. -2
63-1
63-0
60-4
62-1
60-9
.58-7
58-5
58-9
59-4
^•A
2-5
1-7
2-5
2-4
2-7
3-6
2-0
2-7
3-4
3-2
2-0
2-0
2-3
1-9
1-3
2-2
71-1
69-3
71-2
73-7
73-4
72-0
69-9
67-2
65-8
66-4
63-6
64-1
62-9
61-0
60-4
61-2
61-6
28-9
30-7
28-8
28-3
26-6
28-0
30-1
32-8
100-0
34-2
33-6
36-4
35-9
37-1
39-0
39-6
38-8
38-4
100-0
100-0
100 -0
100
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
100-0
articles
in 1857, was
causet
I by th
e tran
far of certain
descr
I)tions
of the
forme
r from
the 1
atter c
atecory. So
proper
headings in 1
8J5 an
d 1852
respec
lively. The o
llier a
■tides
range
withou
t Chan
ge thr
ougho
It the whole
1. On the average of the same twenty-one years the relative
proportion of each class was: —
4G
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Of nine principal enumerated articles (quantities stated).... G3'9 per cent.
„ all other enumerated articles ,, .... 32 ,,
„ enumerated articles (value only stated).... 2S" I „
,, uueuumerated „ .... 4'5 ,,
louo
2. The differences between tlie first and last years of the period,
with the changes corresponding to those made in the notes on
Imports, were as follows : —
Of nine principal enumerated articles (quantities "1
stated) J
„ other enumerated articles (quantities stated) ....
„ enumerated articles (value only stated) ....
,, unenumerated articles ,,
1854,.
1000
1886.
60-5
59 -t
6-9
22
27-6
334
50
50
1000
3. The proportion in whicdi each of the above nine enumerated
articles contributed to the aggregate on the average of twenty-one
years was as follows : —
1. Cotton piece goods 25"5 per cent.
2. Metals, iron and steel lO'? „
3. Woollen inaniifacturL^; 90 „
4. Cotton yarn 64 „
5. Linen manufactures 3'7 ,,
6. Coals and culm 3"2 ,,
7. Metals, otlier 2-5 „
8. Woollen yarn 21 „
9. Linyn ,, 09 „
Total 64-0
4. In comparing the year 1886 with 1857, the proportion of the
exportation of —
Coals and culm Had increased from 2'5 to 4 3 per cent.
Woollen manufactures .... ,, 8'1 „ 8'6
Cotton piece goods Had nmiained stationary at 23'6 „ 23'6
,, yarn Had decreased fi'om 7'1 „ 5'4
Linen „ ,, 1'4 ,, 0-4
„ manufactures „ 3'4 „ 29
Metals, iron and steel .... „ 12-3 „ lO'l
„ other „ 3-3 „ 20
Woollen yarn „ 23 „ 2 1
Other enumerated articles ,, 36 „ 23
It must be noted that the comparison for iron and steel is not
fair, as 1857 was an exceptional year. The average of 1855-59
and IbGl was only 100, instead of I'l'o per cent, as above. This
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 47
statement affords an illustration of the extent to wLich new articles
of commerce have entered into the ag-g-iegate of Exports since IS.") 7.
5. The extremes of fluctuation during the twenty -one years
ranged —
For coals From 20 per cent, in 1854 to 4 8 per cent, in 1S73
„ cotton yarn „ 5;3 „ '80 „ 82 ,, '08
„ „ piece goods.... „ 222 „ '84 „ 307 „ '(,6
r'8o-|
„ linen yarn ,, 0*4 „ ■< 'S3 )■ „ IT „ '6-i
L'86j
„ „ manufactures.. ,, 2'8 ,, '85 „ 5-3 ,, '(i5
„ metals, iron and steel „ V'l ,, '55 „ 14-8 ,, '73
other „ 2-0 „ '86 „ 4-0 „ '()3
woollen yarn „ 1"4 „ I'ssf"
3-5 „ 'G8
„ „ manufactures „ 7'1 ,, ■{ ,(,.> ;•„ 11"7 „ i .,1'^
i oi J L ' l
The range, it will be seen, has been less wide than in Imports
either of food or raw materials ; it has been widest in coal, metals,
linen and woollen yarns.
6. The increase in the proportion of articles entered by value
only has occurred chiefly within the last seven years, viz., from
1879 to 1886.
It has not been deemed necessary to carry the comparisons
further back than the year 1854.
0. Priyicipal Articles omitted or added.
A strong indication of changes in the course of trade is
furnished by the following statements of the articles which were
included among the "principal" commodities of Imports and
Exports in 1856, and have since been omitted, and also of those
which have been added in the latter years : —
Imports.
A. Articles included in 1850, and omitted in 188(J.
Value in 1856.
£
1. Dyeing stuffs, geraneine 177,394 Included with madder.
2. Silk manufactures of India 401,6-15 „ silk goods.
3. Skins, sheep, tanned or dressed 37,567
4. „ lamb „ 2.462
5. „ goat „ 52,826
6. S]nces, Cassia Lignea 4(),575i
7 cloves 32 -,n9 I Included with other sorts
" r-'^,',^,\\ of spices.
8. „ nutmegs 54,(102] ^
Total 805,640
4S Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom., 1854-88.
V>. Arficles insprtrcl in ISSfi, and nnf included in IR.'jG.
1. Butterinc
2. Candles of all sorts
3. China, porcelain, and earthenware ....
4. Cotton manufactures
5. Drugs, Peruvian bark
H. ,, opium
7. Dyeing stulfs, unenumerated
8. Dye woods
9. Feathers, ornamental
10. Flax, tow, or codilla
11. Fruit, raw, exclusive of nuts
12. (rum of all sorts
13. Hemp, dressed
14-. Lace and articles thereof
15. Leather
Ifi. Meat, unenumerated, salted or fresh..
17. „ preserved, other than salted ....
18. Metals, iron ore
19. „ ,, and steel, wrought or]
manufactured J
20. ,. zinc, crude, in cakes
21. ,, ,, manufactures
22. Musical instruments
23. Nuts and kernels, for oil pressing ....
24. Onions, raw
2.5. Painter's colours and pigments
20. Paper, for printing or writing
27. ,, other, except hangings
28. Petroleum, unrefined and refined
29. Poultry, game, and rabbits
30. Pyrites of iron or copper
31. Seeds, grass
32. ,, cotton
33. Silk, knubs or husk-*, and waste
31'. Skins, furs of all sorts
35. Toys
36. Woollen and worsted yarn, Berlin, &c.
37. „ for weaving
Valce in 1886.
£
2,962,264
307,0(J(J
2,147,309
inclu
l,51fi,851
1,169,777
506,710
639,704
incl
Raw Materials.
Manufactures.
801,353
749,942
415 891
1,287,595
427.819
1,046,345
ded with undr
5,536,225
1,894,626
2,200,265
774,938
598,529
778,027
1,02!» 839
udcd with clo
1,491,670
815 742
817,.j65
2 228,715
£
143,652
521.418
1,858,918
essed
447,253
326,004
729,805
476,884
1,011,037
2,091,276
9,727,165 22,351,190 8,188,643
618,576
263,820
40,266,998
As rcLj^aids Imports, it will be seen how few and unimportant
are those which have ceased to be classed as "principal" — only
8 out of 112 — valued at £805"G40 or 0"5 per cent, of the total
Imports; while in 1886, 37 articles have been added, valued at
,£40 millions, or ll'l per cent, of the total Imports.
Of this addition —
Milln. £
9"7 consisted of food
223 ,, raw materials
8'2 ,, manufactures
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88. 49
In 1856 the value of uneiiuraerated articles amounted to 8'5
per cent, of the total Imports, and in 1886 to 7*7 per cent.
A similar comparison of the following statements of Exports
shows the following results : —
The omissions from the list in 1856 are 9 out of 88, valued at
£1,161,897, or 1-0 of the total Exports. The additions have been
24 in number, valued at £15" millions, or 7"1 per cent, of the
total Exports. It is worthy of notice that 4 out of the 9
omissions since 1856 consist of agricultural implements, bacon
and hams, beef and pork, and horses ; while among the Exports
pictures have assumed a position.
Exports.
A. Articles included in 1856, and omitted in 1886.
Value in 1856.
£
1. Agriculhiral implements 154,993
2. Bacon and hams 214,199
3. Beef and pork 122,527
4. Carriages 143,208
5. Glass, window 35,311
fi. Horses 100,349
7. Metals, copper, bars, rods, &c 239,315 Included witli other sorts.
8. „ lead ore, red and white 1 , ^i qo"
lead, and litharge J '
9. Jewellery — „ Plate, &e.
Total 1,1G1,S97
B. Articles inserted in 1886, a7id not inserted in 1856.
Value in 1886.
£
1. Biscuit and bread 518,169
2. Bleaching materials 502,919
3. Candles of all sorts Stearine only in 1856
4. Caoutchouc manufactures 971,108
5. Carriages, railway 913,244
6. Clocks and watches 207,461
7. Coals, products, except dyes 622,398
8. Cotton piece goods, mixed materials 11,536
9. ,, stockings and socks 487,378
10. „ thread for sewing 2,586,765
11. Linen yarn, jute 273,315
12. „ nianiifiicturcs, sails added to sail cloth .,.. —
13. „ thread for sewing 366,774
14. „ jute manufactures 1,.S07,322
15. Manure 1,614,613
16. Medicines 814,213
17. Alctals, steel manufactures, or of iron and steel ... 403,452
18. Musical instruments 207,842
19. Oil and door cloth 688,773
20. Pictures 242,491
21. Rags and otlier materials for paper 383,406
22. Skins and furs, British 490,888
23. „ foreign, British dressed 352,229
24. Umbrellas and parasols 526,348
Total 14,991.,(;74
50
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
d. Classification of Articles at Different Periods.
The following statement, compiled from the Return in the
Appendix to the Royal Commission, already referred to, furnishes
an instructive analysis of the composition of Exports of British
and Irish Manufactures and Produce exported at different periods
in the years between 1855 and 1884 : —
Fercentage Proportion of Declared Value of Exports of British
Produce.
Quinquennial
Periods.
Manufactured
Goods.
Articles partly
Manufactured.
Eaw Materials.
Articles of
Food.
Total.
1855-59
1860-64
1865-69
1870-74
1875-79
1880-84
£
74-2
75-3
76-0
74-8
76-0
76-7
£
17-2
15-9
16-7
15-8
14-0
13
£
3-4
4-4
4-0
5-6
5-5
6
£
5-2
4-4
3-3
3-8
4-5
4-3
£
100
100
100
1(0
100
100
Average....
75-5
15-4
4-8
4-3
100
It will be seen how the pi'oportion of Exports of manufactured
articles has gradually increased, except in 1870-74, when the increase
in raw materials and food diminished it considerably ; how that of
articles partly manufactured has gradually and largely decreased,
except in the years 1865-69, when it increased at the expense of
raw materials and food ; how raw materials, coal and iron chiefly,
have very largely increased, but especially in the years 1870-74 ;
and how articles of food decreased largely between 1855 and 1869,
recovered themselves partially between 1870 and 1879, and have
fallen off slightly in the last period. This refers only to the relative
value. The actual value in the last three periods has been : —
In 1870-74
„ '75-79
„ '80-84
Eaw Materials.
Articles of Food.
Mil. £
Mil. £
13
7
11
9
14
10
3
T*nu X,-.lr.r..yc /V,a^ »/(/.. rnnnj-.l /lr/.W« 0/ V-V.
,If/i?fr.-i(t ImperrUd into the Untied Kiv^dmn, deduced from the deelared Qitantitut and Valuer
in each Tear from 185* to 1886.
A. -FOOD.
taUd in tht Stoli*tic5
-
.)0I
lOJ)
1
"
"6.
,«.
,s».
-
.
18S0. ™' '"
-
IS
-
1834. 1 18
35.18
88,
1 Win. p g»li. .h. ,.
' ■ f
;■•»
iljo
IS,
.rii
::
?f
.56
'«•»
!!
'^
?
ii
(,4!
1S40
i-8.
lt°
■5
i*
5-H
,9«J
i
-«
4«J
1
ii-
OS
£:^:5
'::
z
-:
20J80 IB
^if
20
^0
l'.Ti:rntn((opn>porlionot»«lu9 0fBbo»l)«rtio1oil
1
-
■id
-
J.
«.<
-
.!..
-
■ ,,»
.,.,
-
JO.,
~
.;-,, ,,.j,
jijl
- |j'-9'] - |jS'»J
„
5'
" 1 "" i " "
=471 "5
<9 is.
!6
'
1 1 1
0.1 of 11 .n.cl™ Im 1151 10 IBM, lUing
flUlDg ....
=
■;
J
•
,0
•
]
'
;
;
5
';
1
'1''
".
;
5
s
;
li
^
t
n
'1
J!|_S
y^
Taiji,!: X.—CmIU.
"
-RAW
MAT
:riai.
'•"■
'"-•
'"•
,«y....
,«.,
IWO.
,«1.
«.
.m.
«..
'»•
.«.
«.,.«..
'»«•
1«70.
'"'■
1»7..
■ «3.
1S71.
■B,5.
1870.
.877.
»"•
«»■
.880.
.881.
.88..
.888.
.88..
.88.
.886.
a. WoodttmltiiuWOOI-o*" I'.lMd „ T.
{b)«™orq.Ut ,. ,. T.
S. Wool, (lioopy DDd all otlior p. lb, d, r.
J*07
SO'JI
4«'oo
41-14
4»
- 4«'Io
!'«4 '
4(i-6o —
,r.. .../..■I«r« of tk- Uni
AbitficU of the UniUd Kingdom
•} p., a.
T. :
651 — 631 I — 630
li!!.
o
n
61
§ 5. Prices of Chief Articles.
a. Annual Prices ; Tables X and XL
This series of tables, compiled from Mr. Giffen's Reports,
exhibits the average prices of the principal articles of Imports,
distinguishing articles of food from raw materials, and of Exports
of the Produce and Manufactures of the United Kingdom, in each
year from 1854 to 1886, rising prices being distinguished from
falling prices by being placed in a diiferent line, and printed in a
different type.
At the bottom of each of these tables the percentage proportion
of the value of all articles specified in it to the total value of all
articles is stated for those years in which the information has
been furnished ; and below each is stated the number of articles
of which the price rose and fell in each year.
The design of this latter annex is twofold : first to ascertain
whether, and to what extent, a rise or fall in prices extends over
all the enumerated articles in the same year, and secondly to show
in figures the diiference already exhibited in the Tables of Curves
between the two equal periods of sixteen years into which these
tables are divided.
b. As to Uniformity of Rise and Fall.
As to the first point, and as regards Imports —
Out of 11 articles of Food —
11 rose together in no year"
10
9
8
2 years
2'^
11 fell together in 2
10 „ 2
9 „ 4
8 „ 5
7 rose together in 2
7 fell „ 2
6 rose ,, 5
6 fell „ 3
■13
20
-12
Total 32
Out of 16 articles of Raiu Materials —
16^
±0
14
> rose together in no
ycar-
13.
» G
12
„ 4
years
11
9
JJ
„ -
16
fell together in 1
^
15
1
,,
14
13
2
1
"
• 12
12
1
)>
11
^
)> -
18
10
fell togctlier in 5
'
9
rose „ I
" >-14
9
fell „ 2
8
rose and 8 fell 6
■• -
Total
Wl
—
Y. 2
52
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
As regards Exports, out of 12 ai-ticles —
12 rose together in 2 years"]
10 ., 1
9
8
12 fell toj
11
10
9
3
1
ther in 3
3
2
5
4
t-17
7 rose together in 4
7 fell „ 3
6 rose and 6 fell in 1
Experts can from the above figures foinn a judgment as to the
extent to which uniformity usually prevails in the rise or fall of
prices, and also as to the degree of uncertainty which attends the
application of avei^age prices drawn from a limited number of
articles to the whole volume of trade.
As to the second point, it is shown that di\'iding the whole
period into two equal terms, viz., from 1854 to 1870, and from
1871 to 1886, the contrast between the two as regards rising and
falling prices is very striking: —
In 1854-70.
In 18
"I-S6.
Eising.
Falling.
Rising.
Falling.
Imports — Articles of food
Kaw materials
89
123
87
133
65
90
Ill
166
Total
212
220
155
277
Exports of British Merchandise
90
102
66
126
The excess of falling prices was comparatively small in the first
term, but it was very great in the second ; and in both terms the
excess was greater in Exports than in Imports.
c. T\.ise and Fall in Prices.
An examination of these three tables warrants the assumption
that if all the prices were reduced to a single denomination, — that
of a shilling would not require many changes, — and if a larger
number of articles were included in the calculation, the yearly
aggregates would furnish a useful and easily computed index to
the yearly variations in the price of the bulk of Imports and
Exports. As it is, it has been found that by adding up the very
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-?
53
dissimilaj' items in these tables, composed of the extreme denomi-
nations of pounds and pence, and relating to such incongruous
things as a ton of iron and a pound of cotton yarn, the aggregates,
though meaningless in themselves, when brought into comparison
with one another do exhibit a general approximation to the
actual rise and fall of prices in each year, and afford a rough means
of comparing each year with its predecessor or successor. It is
found that a scale of annual prices calculated upon these aggre-
gates, taking for the starting point in 1854 the same figure as that
founded upon the relation between tonnage and declared value,
exhibits a striking similarity to the scale founded on the latter
relation, and that the most striking differences may be accounted
for by the insufficiency in the number of articles included in tliese
tables of prices, and the consequent excessive preponderance of
some of them upon the average price of the whole mass. Exceptio
probat I'egulam.
As an illustration, when in the years of inflation 1872-73, the
extraordinary development of the coal and iron trades caused the
average value of a ton of Exports to rise from £14'9 to £16"3 and
£162, the corresponding rise in this table of prices, in which coal,
iron, and steel form comparatively so large a proportion of the
articles, was from £14"9 (mark the identity of the starting point)
to £ly'2 and £21"5. The correspondence in the fall in subsequent
years is no less remarkable : —
1874
75
'76
Table I.
Calculated on Table XI.
£
15 1
13-8
11-9
£
19-0
17-0
15-4
The general approximation of the two series is sufficiently close
to afford an interesting illustration of the possibility of arriving at
an approximation to the truth by the conjunction and comparison
of such unequal data. They will therefore be stated side by side
in the Appendix.*
d. Comparison of Prices in 1857-86.
It would occupy too much time and space to enter into a
full examination of these two tables of prices, but it may be well to
supplement the preceding compariscms of the proportionate value
of the volumes of each article in 1857 and 1886t with a similar
comparison of the average price of each in the same years : —
* P. 159. t P. 45 et seq.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854!-88.
Imports — A. Food.
"Wheat per cwt.
Wlieaten flour ,,
Sugar, raw „
„ refined „
Tea per lb.
Wiue per gall.
Butter per cwt.
Cotiee
Oxen and bulls each
Cheese per cwt.
Rice, not in the husk „
Average of above 9 articles
B. — Eaw Mateeials.
Cotton, raw per cwt
Wood and timber (a) hewn per load
(b) split
Wool, sheep's and all other per lb.
Silk, raw ,,
Flax, dressed and undressed per cwt.
Guano per ton
Flax or linseed per qr.
Tallow and stearine per cwt.
Hemp, dressed and un-
dressed „
Jute „
Palm oil ,,
Indigo „
Caoutchouc ,,
Hides, dry and wet ,,
Leather per lb.
Average of above 14 articles
EXPOETS.
Coals and culm per ton
Cotton yarn per lb.
„ piece goods —
Plain.... per yd.
Printed ,,
Linen yam per lb.
,, manufactures —
white or plain per yd.
Metals, iron pig per ton
>r .. bar „
„ steel (un wrought) „
„ ,, (manufactured) ,,
„ copper (unwrought) per cwt.
Woollen yarn per lb.
„ cloths per yd.
Average of above 9 articles....
Average Prices.
sh.
sh.
d.
sh.
£
sh.
sh.
d.
1857. IS
12-8
7-5
18-0
11
35-1
13 1
46-0
16 7
17-4
11-8
7-9
7-0
4-7
5-3
3-3
3-3
18-7
181
2-5
2-2
11-5
7 '5
3-
3
2
17'
21
39-
2'
12-
54-
32'
20'
43
32
5-
4-
23'
•4
2-
•5
2\
•8
2-.
•9
9-
•8
13-
•0
41-
•9
2-
•5
7-
•5
25-
•0
28-
•9
11-
•7
20-
•0
22-
•8
11-
•1
3-
•9
17-
8-3
10-8
2-2
3-2
14 1
6-0
43-2
51
30-0
2-2
23-2
39-6
Percentage
Difference in 1886.
Increase. Decrease.
12-8
6-3
95-3
3
62-5
Per cent.
420
37-8
(52 -8
63-6
32-4
11-0
3-7
10
34-8
33 1
26-3
38-0
21-6
49-3
36-9
29-5
37-6
52-9
11-2
46-2
52-1
30 1
27-0
28-7
34-8
10-6
8-2
26 1
24
18-6
43-4
41-6
63-2
16
28
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom^ 1854-88.
55
It will be seen that in each table two articles have increased in
price or remained stationary, viz., butter, coffee, flax, caoutchouc,
linen yarn and woollen cloths, and that the decrease among the
other articles has been in each class as follows : —
Imports, articles of food 33'1 per cent.
,, raw materials 34'8 „
Exports 28-0 „
A still more interesting comparison is that to be derived from
Mr. Bourne's tables between the years 1883 and 1887, which is
presented in the form in which it might be advantageously given
to the public by the Board of Trade monthly — either synchronously
with, or soon after, the present monthly accounts of " Trade and
" Navigation." The comparison might be either with the corres-
ponding month of the previous year, or with the preceding month
of the same year, as might be deemed most useful to the mercantile
community. There will be a little trouble, but much convenience,
in arranging the articles alphabetically in the three proposed classes.
There would be no difficulty in giving at the same time a calcula-
tion of the average value of a ton of Imports and Exports after
eliminating the trade in grain and timber inwards, and that in
coals outwards.
Proportion
of
Total Value,
showing
Volume.
Average Value, showing Price.
Change
in
Proportion
of Volume.
Change in
Proportion
of Price
Above
or Below
Average
of 100.
1883.
1887.
1883.
1887.
In-
crease
Per
1,000
3
1
3
10
De-
crease
In-
crease
De-
crease
A. Articles hicreased in Vo.lue.
1. Animals, horses each
2. Anas, fire ,,
3. ,, gunpowder lb.
4. Glass, flint cwt.
Per
1,000
2
1
2
1
2
2
5
3
14
31
Per
1,000
1
1
1
2
2
8
4
17
41
£ s. d.
55-62
27-40
5-83
44-94
9-27
4-88
3-26
5-93
23-41
38 -30
£ s. d.
57 -85
.34-75
6-40
48-64
9-45
5-48
4-15
6-70
23-73
40-04
Per
1,000
1
04
27
11
08
02
12
37
13
01
04
-
6. Tin ,,
7. Silk, broad stuffs yard
-
9. Wool, yarn lb.
10. „ cloth „... yard
—
Total
63
79
—
—
No. of
4
article
1
s
U. Articles Unchanged in Value.
1. Zinc cwt.
2. Salt ton
3
1
2
13-89
12 •S4
13-91
12 -82
1
1
_
Total
3
3
—
-
1
1
56
MaHtime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
C. Articles Decreased in Value.
1. Alkali cwt.
2. Bags dozen
3. Beer brl.
4. Books cwt.
5. Butter „
6. Camlles doz. lbs.
7. Cement cwt.
8. Cheese „
9. Coals ton
10. Cordage cwt.
11. Cotton yarn lb.
,, manufactures —
rj. plain yard
l;i. printed ,,
14. mixed „
15. stockings dozen
16. thread lb.
17. Fish, herringa brl.
18. Glass, plate sq.ft.
19. Hats dozen
20. Leather cwt.
21. ,, boots doz.prs.
22. Jute yam ... lb.
23. ,, manufactures yard
24. Linen yarn lb.
,, manufactures —
25. white yard
26. printed „
27. sail cloth ,,
28. thread lb.
29. Iron, old ton
30. ,, pig
31. ,, bar ,,
32. „ railroad
33. „ wire „
34. ,, sheet ,,
35. ,, galvanised ,,
36. ,, hoop „
37. ,, tinned ,,
38. ,, ca.st ,,
39. Steel, wrought ,,
40. ,, manufactures ... ,,
4L Copper, ingots cwt.
42. ,, yellow metal ... ,,
43. „ other kinds ,,
44. Brass ,,
45. Lead ton
4(i. Oil, seed gall.
47. Paper cwt.
48. Soap „
49. Sugar „
.50. Wool lb.
51. ,, flannels
.52. „ stuffs
63. ,, carpets
Total of specifled articles
All other ,,
Total 1.000
Proportion
of
Total Value.
showing
Volume.
Per
1,000
9
5
8
5
1
1
4
142
87
706
294
Per
1,000
158
90
2
15
7
1
6
7
8
1
10
4
18
1
1
1
3
12
8
26
3
3
15
3
26
20
13
3
6
4
7
1
775
287
1,062
Average Value, showing Price.
6-12
5-16
79-82
139 -58
6-72
2-31
84-15
9-35
51-05
3-28
3-27
29-73
1-42
21-50
60-10
3-47
7-06
6-19
14-80
10-12
15-18
7-77
17-47
12 -97
19-10
42 -70
3 -.38
2-99
3-87
4-47
14-07
2-15
2-61
3-62
5-81
3-05
2-64
14-36
6-95
7-80
11-73
22-96
21-40
12-71
14-82
9-94
28 -24
1887.
5-66
4-07
76-14
112-81
4-66
1-94
79 -26
8 -.32
45-67
20-62
1 -12
19-08
2-27
3-17
2-32
2-02
13-77
6-07
6-12
11-01
29-74
5 -.50
4-56
13-58
9-06
11-75
16-06
13 -56
11-16
29-93
2-26
2-08
2-58
3-75
13-75
1-74
47-26
19-98
13-19
1 1 -25
12 -27
8-87
24 -26
Change
Proportion
of Volume.
In-
crease
Per
1,000
De
crease
Change in
Proportion
of Price
Above
or Below
Average
of ICO.
In-
crease
Per
1,000
1
1
1
irticle
12
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-!!
57
Tlie table will show at once the number of the G5 specified
articles (all for which the information can be furnished) wliich
have inci'eased or decreased in volume and in price, and how many
have remained stationary, also the extent to which they have
changed in either respect.
Comparing the two years together, inasmuch as in 1887 the
total price of the 65 articles had generally fallen from 1"000 to
'922, the volume must have increased from I'OOO to r062 in order
to produce the sum of £221 millions, as compared with £240
millions in 1883. It must however be borne in mind that the
changes in the proportion of the volume of the several articles are
relative to the change in the total, and the actual increase or
decrease of each must be looked for in the ti^de returns. The
same remarks do not apply to the changes in price which are
positive, or actual.
An abstract of this table might be framed in the shape of the
table shown at pp. 8-9, indicating in addition the names of the
articles in each category.
§ 6. Prices of Baw Materials compared with those of Manufactured
Goods.
Reverting to the table at p. 62, and comparing the fall in
Exports with that in the Imports of raw materials, the results
show as follows : —
Change on Imports.
Per Cent.
Cotton, raw fall 26'3
rise 6-3
Flax, dressed and un- 1
dressed J
Wool, sheep's, &c fall 49-3
Change on Exports.
Cotton yarn fall
„ piece goods, plain.. „
,, ,, printed ,,
Linen yarn rise
„ manufactures,"! ^ ii
white or plain... J
Woollen yarn ,,
„ cloths rise
Per Cent.
8-2
26-1
240
3-0
18-6
160
62-5
A more detailed comparison of the trade in cottons and woollens
will be found in Tables XII and XIII, which show —
1. With regard to cottons: the price of raw cotton on import-
ation, -and the prices of cotton yarn and cotton plain piece goods
on exportation in each year from 1854 to 1886, with the annual
fluctuations in each year above or below the mean of the five years
1855-59, taken as the unit of 100. The year 1854 has been omitted
as that of the Crimean war.*
2. With regard to woollens : the price of foreign wool on
importation and of British wool on expoi-tation, and the prices of
woollen yarn and cloths on exportation ; with a similar account of
1855 ought to have been omitted for the same reason.
58
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
tlie annual fluctuations, and a comparison between Britisli and
foreio-n wool.
Table XII. — Statement of the Average Price of Haw Cotton on
Imiwrtation, and of Cotton Yarn and Cotton Plain Piece Goods
on Exportation, in the United Kingdom, in each year from 1854
to 1886.
(Compiled from Table in Appendix to Report of Royal Commission on
Depression of Trade and Industry and Statistical Abstracts.)
Price
Price
Annual Fluctuations,
on
on
the mean of 5 years, 1855-59, being
Importation.
Exportation.
taken as the unit=100.
Years.
Cotton,
Eaw
Cotton,
Cotton, Plain
Raw
Cotton,
Plain
Cotton
Yam,
Piece Goods
Cotton.
Yarn.
Piece Goods.
Imported.
Mean
Exported.
Mean
Exported.
Mean
Per cwt.
Per lb.
Per yard.
(3-06).
(11-23).
(•2 -93).
£
d.
d.
1854....
2
55
10-92
2
85
83
97
97
'55....
2
62
10 -44
2
79
85
93
95
'56....
2
89
10-62
2
88
94
94
98
'57....
3
38
11-81
2
99
110
105
102
'58...
3
26
11-49
2
90
106
102
99
'59....
3
16
11-81
3
07
103
105
105
I860....
2
88
12-00
3
09
94
107
105
'61....
3
44
12-54
3
02
112
111
103
'62....
6
65
15-97
3
66
217
142
125
'63....
9
41
26-01
4
97
307
231
169
'64....
9
79
28-80
5
79
320
256
197
'65....
7
56
23-98
5
05
247
213
172
'm...
6
30
23-66
5
09
206
210
173
'67....
4-
61
21-11
4
13
150
188
141
'68....
4-
65
20-27
3
67
152
180
125
'69....
5-
21
20 04
3
79
170
178
129
1870....
4
47
18-92
3
55
146
168
121
'71....
3
52
18-66
3
33
115
166
113
'72....
4
24
18-87
3
51
138
168
120
'73....
4
01
17-76
3
45
131
158
117
'74....
3
62
15-79
3
22
118
140
110
'75....
3
47
14-66
3
13
113
130
107
'76....
3
02
13-19
2
83
99
117
96
■77....
2
93
12-85
2
83
95
114
96
'78....
2
80
12-47
2
76
91
111
94
'79 ...
2
76
12-33
2
65
90
109
90
18S0....
2
94
13-25
2
73
96
118
94
'81....
2
92
12 -.39
2
65
95
110
90
'82....
2
93
12-96
2
71
96
115
92
'83....
2
91
12-25
2
-61
95
109
89
'84....
2
85
12-24
2
47
93
109
84
'85....
2
•86
11 -.58
2
33
93
103
79
'86...
2
49
10-84
2
21
81
96
75
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1864-88.
69
Table XIII. — Statement of the Average Price of Sheep's Wool, including Wool of
Lambs, Alpaca, and the Llama Tribe, hnported : of Sheep and Lambs' Wool of
British Produce Exported, and of Woollen and Worsted Yarn, and Woollen Cloths,
^c, of British Manufacture Exported, in the United Kingdom in each Year from
1854-86.
(Compiled from same as last table.)
Prices of
Sheep's Wool.
Prices of
Woollen Manufactures
on Exportation.
Annual Fluctuations, the
Mean of Five Years, 1855-59, being taken
as the unit = 100.
Price
of
Foreign
and
Colonial
on
Importa-
tion.
Per lb.
British
on
Exporta-
tion.
Per lb.
Woollen
and
Worsted
Yam.
Per lb.
Woollen
Cloths,
..
..|,.
7,
>.
70
.0
:
.0
v
17
17
■^7
TT
'
"
'.'■
I
ii
■;
,r.
,^
i
:
"I
r
■■I
r
■■
"..'
':i
•J
K
a
"J
V
-
r.
3J
;
_
"Z
I
?
w
,:
3
1.7
'!J
•ii
s
..
..
..
«
..
.,
"
.,
..
..
..
„
..
.,
,.
..
"
I.
..
,.,.
,.
,.
>.
„
7.
•0
.,
..
.0
..
,.
.0
.7
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-
f)9
The followino' is a list of these events : —
Wars, (fcc, British.
,, ,, Foreign.
Crises in the United Kingdom, com-
mercial, financial, or ])olitical.
Famines in India and China.
Special circumstances (for which see
table).
Harvest in the United Kingdom.
Price of wlieat.
Importation of corn and meal.
Production and price of coal.
„ „ pig iron.
Export of coal.
,, pig iron.
Import and consumption of raw cotton.
Import and re-export of sheep's wool.
Ships built — sailing and steamers.
Emigration.
Gold bu lion and specie, Import- and
Exports.
Gold, coined, and excess of Imports.
Price of consols.
Silver bidUon and specie. Imports and
Exports.
Silver, price.
Bank rate.
Joint stock companies registered.
Railway bills deposited.
Bankruptcies, &c.
New issues of loans and companies.
Where the facts are represented by figures, averages and con-
spicuous changes only are insetted, in order that the eye, on looking
down any year that may be under examination, shall catch only
those items which may have contributed more or less to the
character of the year, or may have resulted from the events of it.
But in order to furnish fuller information, if it should be required,
a table has been added in the Appendix which contains the figures
for each year. These have mainly been compiled from the
Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission already re-
ferred to, and brought up to date from the latest statistical
Abstracts.
Most of the leading features of this diagram have already been
pointed out in the discussion of the preceding tables, but the
following points are worthy of observation : —
In group 1 the tonnage inwards, starting from the same
point as the tonnage outwards, drops below it in 1855, and
remains below it to the end, except in 1879, when it rises
above it for a single year. From 1880 the distance
between the two has widened greatly, and while in the
last five years the tonnage inwards has fluctuated con-
siderably from year to year, the outward tonimge has not
fluctuated at all until 1887, when they both rose together.
The increasing number of large passenger steamers em-
ployed in frequent periodical voyages to and from the
United Kingdom has doubtless contributed somewhat to
this difference, but apparently, as has been shown at p. 11,
not to the extent that might be anticipated. It is rather to
the increasing exportation of coal that the diff'ei-ence is due.
In giT)up 2 the cui-ves of values of Imports and Exports kept
pretty closely together up to 1872, though the fluctuations
70 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
were more strongly marked in the former ; but between
1872 and 1877 they were moving in an opjiosite direction.
Since 1877 they have resumed a more simultaneous action,
but the fluctuations are more marked in the Imports, and the
di'op from 1883 to 1886 was sharper. They both i-ose in
1887.*
In the same group the net Import, or consumption, has,
as might be anticipated, followed closely the total Imports.
So, in like manner, in group 3, the curve of value of British
Manufactures exported, is almost identical with that of
the total Exports, as the value of British raw materials and
produce foi^ms but a small proportion of the latter aggre-
gate. During the years 18.55-84 they averaged only 9"1 per
cent.
The differences however in tlie Imports of raw materials
and food are very striking. It will be seen that in 1854
the former started and remained above the latter until
1802-64, when they came close together, but immediately
separated, raw materials rising increasingly higlier above
food until 1872, when they ci'ossed one another, food
losing and raw materials falling more or less continuously
until 1879, when the latter took a start upward and con-
tinued to rise until 1883. In 1884 food had a sudden and
considerable fall. The figures are not given for the subse-
quent years.
In gi'oup 4 the very gradual and equally slow rise of the value
of Colonial and Foreign Manufactures imported is con-
spicuous. The re-exportation of Colonial and Foreign
Merchandise has been slight!}^ greater and more irregular.t
In the last group, No. 5, the relation of the annual differences
in the prices, as indicated by the avei-age value per ton, is
brought into striking relief. They have already been dis-
cussed in the notes on the Tables of Curves III and IV,
p. 26.
A comparison of the supplementary table with the diag-ram will
amply requite the investigator, but as it must necessarily involve
a considerable amount of speculation, and a large amount of
detnils, it has been deemed expedient not to enter upon it in this
summary. In this matter the old motto of the Royal Statistical
Society offers a suitable guide — " Aliis Exterendum."
* For tijjuics ?.ue Table I.
71
Cap. 3. Shipping in the Trade of the United Kingdom.
§ 1. Tonnage Inwards and Outwards.
The information contained in tlie foregoing pages relating to tlie
shipping employed in the trade of the United Kingdom is confined
to—
1. The total tonnage* of vessels which entered and cleared
with cargoes in each year from 1854-87, contained in Table I, and
shown in the last described diagrams.
2. The total tonnage of vessels, distinguishing sailing from
steam vessels, which were built in the United Kingdom in the
same years, contained in tlie table supplementary to the same
diagram.
It is now proposed to show in Table XVII the progress of the
shipping trade during the last fifteen years, from 1872-86. f The
triad, or triennial period, has been adopted as affording a sufficient
average for comparison; single years are manifestly insufficient.
The period has been selected as that embraced in the last annual
volume of the " Statistical Abstract;" but it must be premised that
this shuts out of view the sudden and great increase of tonnage,
both inwards and outwards, which occurred in the year 1871,
accompanied by a corresponding increase in the aggregate value of
Imports and Exports, but without a corresponding change in price,
which marks an era in the trade of the countiy. These changes
may be briefly noted : —
Imports. Total tonnage milln. tons
„ „ value „ £
,, Value of Register ton £
Exports. Total t/onnage milln. tons
„ ,, value „ £
„ Value of Register ton £
Exports, exclusive of Coal —
Tonnage milln. tons
Value „ £
,, of register ton £
Averaire of
Averase of
Percentage
1868-70.
IS71-73.
difference.
14-4
17-7
+ 22-9
297-8
352-3
+ 18-3
20-(J
i;v7
- 4-3
lO-O
101
+ 19-4
23(3-.'i
303-0
+ 28-7
1.J.-7
15-8
+ 7-4
8-6
TOO
+ 23-2
230-8
2i>31
-^ 2fi-5
2(;-8
27 7
+ 3-3
* Toiiiinge, unless otlK'r^vise stated, nieiuiK net totuiage, see p. 81.
f Tlie Hgurrs (or 1887-88 have since b.cu added.
72
Maritime Trade of the TJidted Kingdom, 1854-88.
Table XVII. — Total Tonnage of Vessels (Sailing and Steamers)
distinguishing British from Foreign, which entered into Ports of
the United Kingdom with Cargoes and in Ballast; also of such
Vessels which entered and cleared tvith Cargoes only, togethfr
with the Percentage Proportion of British to Foreign, and of the
increase of British and Foreign respectively, in each Triennial
Period from 1872-86, and in each of the last three Years
188-i-8G.
(Coiiijiiled from " Statistical Abstracts.")
Periods.
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
'81-83
'8i-86
'84
'85
'86
'87
'88
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
'81-83..
'84-86
'84
'85
'86
'87
'88
1872-74.
'75-77.
'78-80.
'81-83..
'84-86 .
'84
'85
'86
'87
'88
Entered with Cargoes and in Ballast.
Annual Average.
Tonnage (omitting lOOO's).
British.
14,502,
16,327,
18,780,
21,797,
22,919,
23,037,
22,980,
22,741f
24,303,
not
Foreign.
7,
8,
8,
8.
8,
8,
8.
8.
8,
jet
280,
133,
('19,
517,
809,
651,
,8S2,
294,
686,
publi
Total.
21,782,
24,460,
26,799,
30,314,
31,728,
31,688,
31,862,
31 ,035,
32,984,
shed
Percentage
Proportion.
Biitish. Foreign.
66-6
66-8
7o-0
720
72-3
72-7
72-1
73-3
73-7
33-4
33-2
300
28-0
27-7
27-3
27-9
26-7
26-3
Percentage Proportion of
Increase or Decrease at each
Period.
British. Foreign. Total.
12-6
150
ICO
51
5-7
0-2
10
6-6
11-7
1-4
6-2
3-4
1-5
2-7
6-6
4-7
12-3
9-6
121
4-6
4-5
0-5
2-6
6-3
Entered with Caeqoes.
12,455,
6,139,
18,594,
67-0
330
13,806,
6,926,
20,732,
66-6
3:V4
+ 10-8
+ 12-8
15,523,
6,613,
22,136,
70 1
29-9
-f- 12-4
- 4-5
17,953,
6,829,
24,783,
72-4
27-6
-1- 15-6
+ 3-3
18,396,
6,618,
25,014,
73-6
264
+ 2-4
- 31
1S,209,
6,487,
24,696,
73-8
26-2
+ 1-4
- 5-0
18,759,
6,905,
25,664,
731
26-9
+ 3-8
+ 6-4
18,220,
6,4(53,
24,685,
73-9
L'61
- 2-9
- 6-4
19,311,
6,689,
26,000,
74-3
25-7
+ 6-0
+ 3 5
20,116,
6,961,
27,077,
74-3
25-7
+ 41
+ 4-0
11 5
6-7
11-9
0-9
0-3
4-0
3-8
5-3
41
Cleared with Cargoes.
13,746,
15,004,
17,248,
20,711,
21,965,
21,946,
21,885,
22,065,
23.116,
24,127,
5,634,
6,035,
6.123,
7,091,
7,266,
7,326,
7,432,
7,041,
7,05.'),
7,538,
380,
030,
371,
802,
232,
273,
317,
107,
171,
(;64,
29-6
28-7
26-2
25-5
21-8
250
25-3
24-2
2'<-4
238
-f- 9-0
-h 14-7
1- 20- 1
+ 60
+ 5-9
- 0-3
4. 0-9
+ 4-7
+ 4-4
71
1-4
15-8
2-5
3-3
1-4
5-2
0-2
6-8
90
111
18 9
51
5-3
01
0-7
36
4-9
Maritime Trade nf the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
73
a. Notes on Table XVII.
This table shows in triads, 1872-86, and in single years,
1884-88—
1. The annual average of the tonnage of vessels, distinguishing
British from Foreign, entered in the ports of the United Kingdom
with cargoes and in ballast.
2. The same of vessels which entered with cargoes.
3. The same of vessels which cleared with cargoes.
4. The percentage proportion of British and Foreign tonnage.
5. The percentage increase or decrease of British and Foreign
tonnage at each period.
The principal results of this table are —
1. The proportion of British to Foreign vessels which entered
■with cargoes and in ballast rose from 66"6 per cent, in 1872-74 to
72'3 per cent, in 1884-80, and still further to 737 per cent, in
1887, the last year for which the figures are published.
The periodical increase in each triad has been favourable
to British shipping ; foreign tonnage advanced more rapidly than
British in 1885, but it lost all the advantage so gained in 1886
and 1887.
2. The returns of vessels entering and cleariug with cargoes
exhibit similar but less decided results.
3. The increase in the last triad or in any subsequent year,
has been greatly inferior to that in any of the preceding triads,
as the following comparison of the last two triads will show : —
1881-83.
1884-SG.
Of vessels entering -witli cargoes ard in ballast
,. only
,, clearing ,, ,,
16-0
15-6
201
51
2-4
5-2
4. The percentage proportions do not give an adeqxiato view of
the actual relative increase of British and Foreign tonnage, wliicli
the following figiires supply : —
Of vessels entering with cargoes and in ballast-
British, millions of tons
Foreign ,,
Of vessels entering with cargoes only : —
British, millions of tons
Foreign ,,
Of vessels clearing with cargoes only : —
British, millions of tons
Foreign ,,
'74 Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 18o4-88,
It is only in the last category that tlie increase of foreign
tonnage exhibits a material advance, but this was not nijiintained
in 1886 or 1887, when the advance only amounted to '2o'0 per
cent. In 1888 it rose again to 338 per cent.
The differences in the entrance and cleai'ance of vessels in
ballast within the United Kingdom are not without interest. In
1887, of the total tonnage, British and Foreign, which entered,
less than a fifth (192 per cent.) was in ballast ; of the same
which cleared, rather more than a twelfth (8'5 per cent.) was in
ballast. Of British vessels 18'3 per cent, entered and 4"9 per cent,
cleared in ballast. Of foreign vessels the corresponding propor-
tions were 21'6 and 18'7 per cent. Of the total tonnage sailing in
ballast, only 0"3 per cent, entered from British Possessions, and
12*4 per cent, cleared for them. Of the total tonnage entered
and cleared in ballast more than three-fourths (77 per cent.), wa&
confined to the trade with the four European countries — France,
Germany, Holland, and Belgium. But while 44 per cent, of the
entrances in ballast came from those four countries, only 11 "4 per
cent, of the clearances were bound for them, showing that in
the trade with those countries a large number of empty vessels
come to take away cargoes from ports of the United Kingdom,
or which is more probable, that a number of vessels which took
cargoes to those countries, very likely colliers, returned empty.
There is not a material difference in the proportion of British and
Foreign vessels entering in ballast in the trade with these four
countries, the percentages being respectively 45'6 and 40'4; but
the proportions on clearing are very different, viz., 20"0 and 7"6 per
cent., showing that British vessels generally load up for those
countries, although many return in ballast.
§ 2. Nationality of Vessels in Trade beyond Sea.
Table XVIII shows the nationality of the vessels which entered
with cargoes and in ballast at ports of the United Kingdom in the
first and last triads of the years 1877-86, from which it results that
while the tonnage of British vessels had increased 29'4 per cent.,
that of foreign vessels had increased only 10*9 per cent. There has
been a large percentage increase in Greek, Spanish, Dutch, German,
and Danish tonnage, and a lesser increase in French, Swedish,
Portuguese, and Norwegian, which has been in some measure
counterbalanced by a large decrease in American (United States),
Austrian, Italian, and to a less degree in Russian. The increase
of the British has been nearly three-tenths, that of the foreign a
little over a tenth : —
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-
75
Tablr XVIII. — Total Tonnage of Vessels (Sailing and Steamers)
belonging to each Nation lohich entered anmially into the Ports of
the United Kingdom with Cargoes and in Ballast, on the average
of the first and Last three Years of the Decennial Period ending in
1886, and slionnng the percentage Proportion! of the Increase or
Decrease of the Tonnage of each Nation between these tivo periods.
(Compiled from " Statistical Abstracts.")
[OnO's iimittPfl.]
Total Tonnage ; Annual
Average.
Percentage
Proportion of each
Peruontatie Increase
or J)t-orease of each
Nation between the
Nations.
two P
eriijU.s.
1877-79.
1884-86.
Difference.
1877-79.
1885-86.
+
—
British
17,707,
22,919,
-f- 5,212
690
72-2
29-4
Foreign —
Russian
281,
234,
- 47
11
0-8
—
16-7
Swedish
642,
674,
+ 32
2-5
21
50
—
Norwegian....
1,858,
1.934,
-f- 76
7-2
61
41
—
Danish
587,
736,
-t- 149
2-3
2-3
27-2
—
German
1,378,
1,856,
-f- 478
5-4
60
34-7
—
Dutch
506,
715,
+ 209
20
2-3
41-3
—
Belgian
248,
281,
+ 33
10
0-9
13-3
—
French
769,
923,
+ 154
2-9
30
221
—
Spanish
247,
460,
-t- 213
10
1-5
86-2
—
Portuguese
20,
^1,
+ 1
0-1
01
5-0
—
Italian
614,
347,
- 269
2-4
11
—
43-4
Austrian ....
184,
83,
- 101
0-7
0-3
—
54-9
Greek
35,
584,
79,
223,
+ 44
- 361
0-1
23
0-3
0-8
1250
United States
61-8
Other
9,
24,
+ 15
—
27-8
166-6
Total Foreign
7,942,
8,809,
+ 8G7
31-0
10-9
Total
25,649,
31,728,
+ 6,079
1000
100-0
23-7
—
§ 3. Vessels Empluyi'd. in Passenger Trajjic.
Thi.s is an important, branch of trade from the United Kingdom,
but neither the rate of its innrease, nor the increase in tlie size of
the vessels employed in it, has had any important influence upon
the total general trade of the country, or in any degree vitiates
the soundness of the deductions drawn from a comparison of the
tonnage and value of Imports and Expoi'ts.
Two Tables, XIX and XX, exhibit—
1. The number and tonnage of vessels, British and Foreign,
employed in this traffic, as far as regards emigration from the
United Kingdom under the Passengers Acts to countries out of
Europe, the number of passengers, and the proportion which the
British tonnage bore to the total tonnage clearing with cargoes,
in the years 185:1-55, and in each year from 18(30 to 1887.*
• Tarl. Paper No. 198 of 4th June, 18b8, p. 31.
76
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-
2. The average size of passencrer vessels compared with that of
sailing and steam vessels, and of all vessels, in the same years.*
Table XIX. — Number and Tonnage of Vessels, British and Foreign, which
Cleared under the Passengers Acts from the United Kingdom to Ports out
of Europe, and the Number of Passengers carried by them in the Yearns
1853, 1855, and in each Year from 1860 to 1887.
(Compiled from Parliamentary Paper No. 19S of 1888, and Statistical Abstracts.)
Vessels Carryini; I'assenKi'rs Cleared from the
United Kingdom.
Passengers Carried.
Total
Percentare
Tonnage
Cleared
Outwards
PropoTtiun
Years.
British.
ForeiRii.
Total.
of
Passenger
In
In
witU
to
Num-
Tons.
Nuni-
Tons.
Num-
Tons.
liritish
Foreifrn
Cargoes.
Total
ber.
OOO's
OOC's
ber.
OOO's
Vessels.
Vessels.
Tonnage.
omitted.
omitted.
omitted.
Milln. tons.
1853....
524
354,
460
480,
984
834,
109,643
192,015
'55....
263
213,
272
345,
535
558,
58,653
88,403
8-3
67
I860....
210
256,
184
249,
394
505,
48,618
50,376
10-8
4 7
'61....
199
257,
108
137,
307
394,
42,339
23,611
11-3
35
'62....
277
315,
137
175,
414
52",
69,050
30,791
11-7
4-4
'63....
402
533,
189
241,
591
774,
124,371
72,362
11-9
6-5
'64....
406
514,
138
186,
544
700,
131,462
58,922
12-2
57
'65...
417
5GG,
92
126,
509
692,
160,805
31,,300
12-8
5-4
'66...
414
615,
80
101,
494
716,
149,621
24,015
140
51
'67....
402
6 0,
52.
Go,
454
665,
163.838
10,097
11-8
4-6
'68 ...
406
615,
31
40,
437
655,
167.029
9,041
1.5-5
42
'69....
480
751,
20
30,
500
781,
230,385
7,891
15-9
4-9
1870....
539
878,
18
27,
557
905,
229,781
4,8o5
16-7
5-3
71...
553
953,
20
31,
573
984,
225,833
4.774
19-0
5-2
'72 ...
638
1,192,
8
12,
(ji6
1.204,
251,871
1,913
19 2
6-2
'73....
678
1,220,
6
13,
681
1,233,
281,797
970
19 1
6-4
'74....
641
1,157,
21
4t,
662
1,221,
206,1.56
5.291
197
61
'75....
501
967,
26
52,
527
1,019.
137,378
5,420
20-4
5-0
'76....
424
842,
26
52,
450
894,
98,591
4,397
21 5
41
'77....
359
772,
23
-16,
3S2
818,
79,765
4,509
212
3-6
'78....
433
952,
25
50,
458
1,002,
11 •.5,8 11
4,842
21-6
4-6
'79....
595
1,282,
32
63,
627
1,345,
171,825
8,142
22-8
5-9
1880....
704
1,55],
35
70,
739
1,621
285.863
12,498
25-6
6-3
'81...
816
1,851,
34
68,
8.j0
1,919,
347,423
14,564
26-3
77
'82..
826
1.934,
35
70,
861
2,004,
37< 1,679
14,318
277
70
'83....
836
2,016,
31
62,
867
2.078,
:<55,477
9,218
29-4
6-4
'84....
700
1,812,
28
56,
728
1 ,878,
263,870
8,161
29-3
63
'85....
620
1,603,
13
26,
633
1.621^,
228,676
4,7.S1
29-3
5-5
'86..
687
1,812.
13
26,
701
1,838,
291,772
4,919
29-1
63
'87....
729
1,927,
16
32,
736
1,959,
355,378
7,806
30-2
6-4
Notes on Table XIX.
1. This table shows that in 1858 and 1855 foreign passenger
vessels were much larger in size, and carried a much larger
iiUTnl)er of passengers out of England than liritish. In 1861
* Pari. Pajior, No. 198 of Itli .Tmio, 1SS8, p. 34, aiul " Annual Statement of
Navigation and Shipping for 1887."
Marifrme Trade of (he United Kingdom, 1854-
77
however the proportions were equalised, and while the foreign
have increased in size, and for many years have averaged 2,000
tons, British passenger vessels have increased to 2.ti50 tons; and
while the British passenger tonnage has increased from 286,000
tons on the average of 1860-62, to I,78l,0o0 on the average of
1885-87, the Foreign tonnage in the same period has decreased from
187,000 to 28,000 tons.
2. The foreign vessels convoying passengers from the United
Kingdom ran almost exclusively to the United States.
3. The proportion of passenger tonnage to total tonnage has
averaged 55 per cent, throughout the whole period. It has ranged
from 3"5 (in 1861) to 7'3 per cent., bnt only on one occasion (in
1881).
Table XX. — Average Size of British Sailing and Steam Vessels, and
of British Vessels carrying Passengers, luhich Cleared from Ports
in the United Kingdom in each Year from 1860 to 1887.
(Compiled from Statistical Abstracts and preceding Table.)
Average Size of British Vessels Cleared from the United Kingdom.
Sailing Vessels,
steam Vessels,
Vessels not
Years.
with Cargoes.
with Cargoes.
Total.
Pistingui.shcd,
with Passengers.
Tons.
Annual
Increase.
Tons.
Annual
Increase.
Tons.
Annual
Increase.
Tons.
Annual
Increase.
I860....
249
332
261
1,218
'61....
240
- 9
335
3
26-'
1
1,294
72
'62....
249
9
348
13
273
11
1,244
- 46
'63. ..
258
9
370
22
285
12
1,326
82
'64....
271
13
372
2
300
15
1,266
- 60
'65....
275
4
397
25
312
12
1,597
3;u
'66....
282
7
411.
17
328
16
1,486
-111
'67....
288
7
405
- 9
333
5
1,493
7
'68....
290
1
42'. 1
24
3i3
10
1,514
21
'69...
308
18
438
9
359
16
1,543
29
1870....
290
-18
469
31
360
7
1,628
85
'71....
285
- 5
489
20
370
4
1,722
94
'72...
304
19
509
20
400
30
1,8-9
147
'73...
281
-23
525
16
413
13
1,799
- 70
'74,...
306
25
532
7
429
16
1.804
5
'75....
320
20
538
6
4 If)
17
1.930
126
'76...
325
5
540
2
4.55
9
1 ,985
55
'77....
345
20
546
6
470
15
2,150
137
'78....
335
-10
564
18
481
11
2,19S
76
'79....
354
19
590
26
511
30
2,155
- 13
1880....
356
2
614
24
528
17
2,203
48
'81....
379
23
61.0
26
564
36
2,2(;S
-182
'82....
390
-11
648
8
57(5
12
2.342
321
'83...
406
36
6.S0
32
61 S
32
2,100
58
'84....
410
4
6S1,
4
629
11
2,589
189
'85....
443
33
704
20
6.-).-^
24
2,5S5
- 4
'86....
455
12
728
24
677
24
2,638
53
'87 ...
477
22
732
4
692
15
2.675
37
78
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
A glance at the column in this table wliieli shows the annual
change in the size of vessels of all kinds clearing with cargoes in
each year, will indicate how gradual has been the increase, which
has never been interrupted in any single year, although the average
of sailing vessels has decreased six times during this series of
years. The years 1872, 1879-81, and 1883 show the largest
increase on all vessels, 1881-83 and 1885 on sailing vessels,
1863-65-70, 1879-81, and 1883 on steamers. They correspond
to some extent with an increased activity in shipbuilding.
2. The average size of sailing vessels has increased from 246
tons in 1860-62, to 458 tons in 1885-87 ; that of steamers from 338
to 721 tons, an increase of 86 and 116 per cent, respectively. Of
the total tonnage the increase has been 116 per cent. Of passenger
tonnage the increase has been from 1,250 to 2,633 tons, or 110 per
cent, less than that of the total tonnage, affording another proof
that the size and increase of passenger traffic does not derange the
comparison of tonnage and value.
3. If the whole of the passenger tonnage were deducted from
the total tonnage cleared outwards with cargoes in the last five
years 1882-86, the average size of the remaining vessels would
only be reduced from 652 to 632 tons.
§ 4. Vessels Employed in Goastinrj Trade.*
The tonnage of British and Foreign vessels (sailing and steam)
which entered and cleared coastwise with cargoes only, at ports of
the United Kingdom during the fifteen years from 1872 to 1886,
increased between the first and last triad 29'3 per cent.
(COO'S omitted.)
Average of 1872-74
'84-86.
Inwards.
Tons.
20,426,
26,882,
Outwards.
Tons.
18,828,
24,383,
Total.
Tons.
39,254,
51,215,
The increase inwards was somewhat greater than the increase
outwards, viz., 31*5 and 29'2 per cent, respectively. At both periods
the tonnage inwards exceeded the tonnage outwards by 8"5 and 10"4
respectively. The proportion of foreign tonnage entering into
the coasting trade is insignificant. It avei-aged 0'6 per cent, in
1872-74, and 0-4 per cent, in 1884-86.
The proportion of steamers to sailing vessels in the coasting
trade had increased between the two periods from 60'0 to 72'7 per
cent., or nearly from three-fifths to three-fourths. In the small
* Compiled from " Stutistieal Abstriicts."
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854- J
proportion of foreign vessels entering into this trade, steamers
have hirgely displaced sailing vessels between the two periods,
having increased from 16 to 50 per cent, of the whole foreign
tonnage engaged in it.
§ 5. Shipping registered as belonging to the United Kingdom*
In considering the quantity of shipping registered as belonging
to the United Kingdom, it is necessary to take into account the
number as well as the tonnage of the vessels, for whilst in the
period under observation there has been an increase of tonnage,
there has been a decrease in the number of vessels, a difFerence
caused by a considerable increase in the average size of the vessels.
The following are the principal facts : —
1. The differences in the total number and tonnage of registered
vessels were : — •
In 1872-74
„ '84-86
Dt'crea.'e.
25,613
23,710
Per cent.
} - {
Tonnage.
IncTea.se.
OOO's omitted.
5,845,
7,400,
Per cent.
26-6
2. This results from a gradual increase in the average size of
vessels, both sailing and steamers, which was thrice as great in the
latter class.
Average Tonnage.
In 1872-74
„ '84-86
Sailin'r Vessels.
190
201
5-8
Steamers
445
597
Increase.
Per cent.
26-7
3. There has been a continuous gradual decrease in the number
of sailing vessels from 22,103 in 1872, to 10,162 in 1886, amountiiio-
to 26"8 per cent., but the tonnage kept slightly increasing up to
1877, from -which year it has gradually decreased. The difference
in tonnage between the same two years 1872 and 1886 is a
decrease from 4,213,295 to 3,396,516, or 19-6 per cent.*
4. On the other hand there has been a continuous gradual
increase in both the number and tonnage of steam vessels, except
in the last year, 1886, when there was a slight decrease of tonnage,
with a still slighter increase of the number of vessels. The number
increased from 3,673 in 1872, to 6,653 in 1886, or 81 per cent., and
the tonnage from 1,538,032 to 3,965,302, or 157 per cent.f
* Compiled from " Statistical Abstracts."
t In the " Annual Statement of the Navigation anil Sliipping of the United
80
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdo))/, 185 t-t
§ 6. Vessels Built in the United Kingdom.
a. Tonnage Built, 1872-88.*
The trade of sliipbuikliug in the United Kingdom has been for
a long period of a fluctuating character, as will be seen in the
statement of tonnage of sailing and steam vessels built in each
y;'ar from 1854 to 18b6 which is contained in the supplementary
table to the Diagram at p. G8. During the last fifteen years it
appears to have been peculiarly unstable, as the following figures
will show, but to have made an extraordinary stride forward in
the present year 1888 : — f
Total Tonnage of Vessels, including War Vessels, Built.
18721
.yajavge.
'74
i6 >-avge.
'77j
'7S
79 1
'81 J
'821
'83 l-avge.
'84 J
'85
'86
'87
Under con-
struction
'88, 30 Sept
Sailing Vessels.
For Home
and
the Colonies.
71,750
187,313
230,285
141,165
69,672
151,584
208,411
138,362
81,279
45,543
For
Foreigners.
2,442
1,781
3,368
7,108
1,466
4,785
10,683
6. 887
5,848
9,5
1872")
'73 >-avge.
'74 J
'75
'76
'77
'781
.ygjavge.
'80
'81
'82
'83
'84
'85
'86
'87
Under con-
struction
'88, 30 Se])l
Steam Vessels.
For Home
and
the Colonies
318,009
178,905
123,475
221,330
292,400
346,361
408,764
521,575
621,758
335.208
196,975
154,638
225,440
548,663
For
Foreigners,
80,207
47,796
13,457
15,075
41,029
68,470
106,346
113,637
122,368
79,887
24,943
31,641
64,631
94,264
" Kiufjdoni for the year 1887," tliere is an apparently coirectcd statement of the
fi-m-es for 1886, viz.: —
Sailing vessels
8teaui ,,
Total
15,473
6,663
22,136
Tonnage.
3,249,907
4,085,275
7,335,182
* Compiled from Tables of Merchant Shipping, Pari. Paper, No. 198 of 18fe8.
f See also Statement in the note at p. 26.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Of the tonnage built for foreigners there were for —
81
Norway
Germany
France
Spain
Other countries in Europe
South America
Japan (steamer)
Honolulu (sail)
Total.
7
13
4
8
11
11
3
1
58
Total Tons.
9,080
36,916
7,139
22.056
16,790
6,623
4,300
885
103,789
Average size.
Tons.
1,297
2,840
1,785
2,757
1,526
602
1,433
885
In April last Lloyd's Register enumerates 172 British and 155
Foreign war vessels which had been built of late years in private
shipyards within the United Kingdom.
Besides the sudden and violent changes in the tonnage of
sailing vessels throughout the whole period, and the rapid decrease
in the last two years, the most notable facts are the great increase
of steamers, both for British owners and foreigners, built in
1881-83; the sudden fall in 1884, accompanied by an increase in
the tonnage of sailing vessels, which brought them to an equality
on the average of 1885-86, the increase of steamers in 1887, and
the great increase in 1888. On the whole period of sixteen years
the tonnage of steamers built for foreigners averaged 24 per cent,
of that built for British owners.
b. Size of Vessels.
The average size of vessels, sailing and steam, both belonging
to the country and built in it, is a subject of interest. The figures
for each year from 1872 to 1886 ai-e shown in the following table.
Net tonnage is stated. The figures for 1887, since published, show
a lai'ge increase in the size of steamers, returning to the average
of 1883, viz., from 502 to 700 tons. The sailing vessels built have
further fallen off from 381 to 315 tons, and the number built
annually has fallen still further from 363 in 1886 to 258 in 1887.
The average size remains the same.
82
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Averafje Size of Vessels.
Sailinfc-
Steam.
Tears.
Eefcistered as
belonging.
Built.
Registered as
belonging.;
Built.
1872
Tons.
1951
197
201
201
201
198
190
191
190
191
1921
203 l^^^-
So/ 202
196
Tons.
1351
3/0 J
427
345
302
241
150
165
257
402
399
3761
313
Tons.
4181
444 -g-
463 J **^-
466
462
468
480
499
519
546
573
595
5971
598 -g-
596 J ^^^
514
Tons.
672]
'73
712 UlS^-
'74
693 J ^^^
'75
502
'76
380
'77
569
'78
'79
575
722
'80
'81
730
840
'82
'83
'84
'85
855
771
5801
500l\\f,^-
'86
502/ ^-7
Average
663
From tlie above it result.s —
1. That until the year 1885 there was no increase, but rather
a falling off, in the average size of sailing vessels belonging to the
United Kingdom, which was rather less than 200 tons (196),
although the average size of such vessels built in the fifteen years
was more than 50 per cent, greater. It miist be inferred from this
that a proportionately larger number of sailing vessels of large size
have disappeared from the register.
2. The average size of sailing vessels built in the last fifteen
years has been 60 per cent, higher than that of the average on the
register, and in the last three years 100 per cent, higher.
3. The average of those built in the last triad exceeds the
higher average of the first by 67 per cent.
4. The average size of steam vessels belonging to the United
Kingdom in these fifteen years was 514 tons, and the average
size of those built in the same period was G63 tons, or 29 per cent,
higher.
5. It is remarkable that while the average size of sailing vessels
built has increased within the last three years, that of steam vessels
has decreased from 692 to 527 tons, or 23"8 per cent.*
b. Size of Vessels on Register in 1887.t
The size of vessels on the register in the United Kingdom,
• See also remarks in § 3 on pas-sengcr tonnapfc, p. 75.
t From "Annual Statement of Navigation and Shipping," Pari. Paper C-5399
of 1888, pp. 239 ar
ri27
407,689
1
3,500
4,000 „
—
—
84
315,090
4,0U0
4,500 „
—
—
60
254,219
4,500
5,000 „
—
—
29
137,490
5,000
5,500 „
—
—
14
72,395
5,500
6,000 „
—
—
1- 2
6,085
■{ 4
22,220
J. 38
135,910
6,000
6,500 „
—
—
5
31,010
6 500
7,000 „
—
—
1
6,932
7,000
7,500 „
—
—
2
14,061
7,500
8,000 „
—
—
2
15,436
8,000 and
Tot
above
—
—
J
L 2
27,059
J
al, gross
15,473
3,362,724
15,473
3,249,907
6,663
6,523,626
6,663
1,085,275
Total Sailing, Number 15,473
„ Steam „ 6,663
Tonnage Gross 3.362,724
„ 6,523,626
Net 3,249,907
„ 4,085,275
22,136
9,886, 3.')0
,335,1 S2
It will be seen how widely different are the gross and net ad-
measurements of steamers, and how necessary it is to observe the
distinction.
Bi'icflv summarised acmrdinc to trross tniinago tliere were —
Sailing.
Steam.
Number.
Tons (Gross).
Number.
Tons (Gross).
Of vessels under 200 tons
„ from 200 to 1,000 tons
,, 1,000 „ 3,000 „
,, above 3,000 tons
12,649
1,644
1,177
3
15,473
7so,0(;o
8(l7,r)29
l,765,8,-,2
9,271-
3,362,724
2,312
1 ,6f;4
2,357
330
191,061.
92-1,136
4,103,925
1,304,201
Total
6,663
6,523,626
8-t
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
The net tonnage of steam vessels is 62'7 per cent., little more
than three-fifths of the gross tonnage. There is a slight difference
between the gross and net tonnage of sailing vessels, 0'4 per cent.,
which, is accounted for by a small allowance made in certain classes
of vessels for the accommodation of crews. The allowance in the
case of steamers is for the engines and machinery. This is regulated
by an Act of Pai-liaraent of 1854, very slightly modified by an Act
of 1867 ; there has therefore been no material change to affect
calculations founded upon the variations in the tonnage recorded
during the period under review.
d. Increase of Large Steam Vessels.
Ten years ago, on the 81st December, 1878, the number and
tonnage of vessels of 1,000 tons and upwards was —
Number.
Tons.
Average.
Of sailing vessels
„ steam ,,
944
1,146
1,483,499
1,498,729
Tons!.
1,571
1,307
On the 31st December, 1887, th
ere were —
Number.
Tons.
Average.
Of sailing vessels
„ steam „
1,180
2,687
1,775,126
5,408,126
Tons.
1,504
2,012
At the former date there was only one steam vessel of 3,000
tons — which was the only steamer of that size in Europe :* at the
present date there are in the United Kingdom 330 of 3,000 to
upwards of 8,000 tons gross, with an aggregate tonnage of
1,304,201, averaging 4,000 tons each. According to Lloyd's
Register, 4 more were added up to 30th April of the present
year, at which date there were owned in foreign countries 188
steam vessels of above 3,000 tons, of whicn 48 ranged from 4 to
6,000 tons. France owned 68, Germany 33, the United States 20,
Spain 17, Italy 15, other countries 25.
e. Iron and Steel Vessels.
The first iron vessel appears to have been built in the United
Kingdom as early as 1818, although the material did not come into
general use until many years later. The first iron regular ocean
steamer, the " Sirius," was built in 1837, and the first steel vessel
* According to M. Kia^r, in his " Statistique Internationale, Navigation Mari-
" time J Les Marines Marcliandes." Cliristiania, 1881.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-
85
in 1862, but it was not till 1877 that mild steel as now used was
adopted for the construction of ships. Steel vessels were not
distinguished in statistical tables before the year 1879. Their
increase will be shown below. Composite vessels, of wood and
iron, were not disting-uished before 186G. Their number and
tonnage has been insignificant since 1870, and in 1886 no vessel of
this description Avas built.
The extent to which iron and steel have supplanted wood in the
construction of vessels is shown in the following comparison, com-
piled from a return obtained from Lloyd's registry office. The
figures include vessels built for foreigners :—
Average of Merchant Vessels Built
in the United Kingdom.
Proportion of each Class.
Vessels.
1860-62.
1884-86.
1860-62. 1 1884-86.
Num-
ber.
Tons (Net).
Num-
ber.
Tons (Net).
Num-
ber.
Tons. ! \^-
Tons.
Wood, sailing....
„ steam ....
Iron, sailing ....
,, steam
Steel, sailing ....
„ steam ....
758
163
48
163
123,948
65,262
26,786
65,262
265
53
134
266
39
187
16,241
1,263
123,110
146,437
29,231
123,110
67-0
14-4
4-2
14-4
440 28-1
23-2 5-6
9-5 ' 14-2
23-3 1 281
— 4-1
— 19-9
3-7
0-3
280
33-3
6-7
28-0
Total
1,132
281,258
944
440,056
100-0
100-0 , 1000
100-0
The return for 1887 shows that steel is rapidly supplanting
iron, and that wood has ceased to be employed except in the con-
struction of small sailing vessels, which averaged only 60 tons, and
of (apparently) steam launches averaging 24 tons. The war
steamers built fiDr foreigners in 1887, not included in the following
statement, consisted of 17 vessels of 3,936 tons, all of steel.
Mf-rchant Vessels Built in 1887.*
Sailing.
Steam.
Number.
Tons.
Number.
Tons (Net).
Tons (Gross).
Iron
44
34
179
46,557
25,235
9,357
76
227
18
18,910
205,907
610
34,475
Steel
328,890
Wood
1,069
Total*
258
81,279
322
225,440
364,453
Tnc'liuling a fi'w (■oii)i)osit(' ve.sscls.
Compiled from Annual Statement, &c., for 1887, pp. 280 — 83.
86
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-J
§ 7. Vessels stnick off the Register,*
T''rom the comp.arison of the number of vessels belonging to
anrl Imilt in the United Kingdom in each year, the number which
disappear annually from tlie Register as sold, lost, broken up, or
otherwise disposed of, can be deduced. The following are the
figures for sailing and steam vessels respectively, and of the
average annual disappearance for the whole period, which is
almost identical in the two classes, and falls short of 5 per cent.: —
Sailini; Vessols.
Stoamcrs.
1B81
Sailing Vcssfls.
Steamer.s .
1872
No.
823
733
739
834
678
696
915
948
972
No.
206
312
220
155
160
237
211
254
228
No.
995
845
793
1,494
1,219
No.
301
73
'82
360
'74
'83
229
'75
'84
350
'76
'85
299
'77
'78
'79
'tsO
Average percentage
of number in each
class
> 4"3 per cnt.
4-5 p. ct.
* Compiled from " Statistical Abstracts.'
87
Cap. 4. Shipping compared with that of other Maritime
Countries.
The Annual Merchant Shipping Tables before referred to (see
note at p. 76) supply the means of making several important and
interesting comparisons between the amount and progress of ship-
ping employed and built in the United Kingdom and in the other
principal maritime countries of the world. Some of them are
exhibited in the following statements : —
a. Employment of National and Foreign Vessels in each Country.
The first of these shows the amount and percentage proportion of
national and foreign tonnage respectively employed in the trade of
each of the principal maritime countries at decennial periods
between 1850 and 1880, and in the latest year, 1886 or 1887, for
which the information is recorded : —
Table XXI. — Shipping employed in the Foreign Trade of Principal Maritime Countries :
Tonnage of National and Foreign Vessels, Sailing and Steamers, toith Cargoes and in
Ballast, entered and cleared in each Country, in certain Years hetween 1850 and 1887.
(Compiled from Tables of " Merchant Shipping," Pari. Paper No. 198 of 1888.) [ooo's omitted.]
Countries.
United Kingdom
Russia in Europe
Norwaj
Sweden
Denmark
Germany
Holland
France
Portugal
Spain
Italy
United States
United Kingdom
Russia iu Europe
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Germany
Holland
France
Portugal
Spain
Italy
United States
Tonnage of Vessels entered and cleared.
Nationa
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1886 or
1887.*
y,442,
13,915,
25,072,
41,349,
47,950,*
—
696,
784,
1,135,
993,*
1,050,
1,513,
2,263,
2,717,
3,023,
—
—
1,374,
2,564,
3,301,t
—
—
tl,771.
2,352,
3,207,
— •
—
t4,101,
5,109,
6,979,
731,
1,048,
1,034,
2,116,
2,454,
1,891,
3,503,
4,289,
7,522,
9,599,
—
—
297,
371,
347,
—
799,
1,312,
3,651,
6,648,J
—
—
2,780,
3,425,
2,979,
5,206,
12,087,
6,993,
6,825,
6,625,
Foreign.
1850.
1360.
5,062,
347,
1,017,
2,719,
3,504,
1870.
1880.
110,774, 11,568
3,518
517,
1,604,
6,231,
968,
2,954,
11,823,
6,640,
2,610,
4,954,1 9,317,
— I 2,213,
2,230,
4,841,
1,798,
4,978,
11,332,
17,387,
8,840,
1,268,
4,330,
2,110.
7,957,
4,728.
17,510,
5,375
10,092.
6,422^
29,249.
1886 or
1887.*
17,212,*
11,508,*
1,663,
5,715,
2,708,
7,734,
5,717,
17,151,
6,615,
10,433, J
9,260,
24,945,
Pehcbntaqb Peopoetions of National and Foeeign.
651
75-2
41-8
41-0
59-8
56-3
68-4
70-4
73-6*
34-9
43-7
31-6
29-6
16-5
11-2
11-4
7-9*
—
83-5
88-8
88-6
74-5
70-0
68-2
64-5
24-8
25-5
300
31-8
—
31-8
37-2
3fJ-6t
—
—
68-2
62-8
—
49-3t
52-7
542
—
—
50-7t
47-3
—
35-9t
391
42-8
—
—
64-lt
60-9
39-5
28-4
30-9
300
58-2
60-5
71-6
69-1
4.1-4
31-5
300
35-9
590
58-6
6S-5
70-0
11-8
6-5
50
—
—
88-2
93-5
30-7
370
26-6
38-91
—
69-3
63-0
73-4
36-5
34-8
24-3
—
—
63-5
65-2
708
38-2
18-9
210
40-2
29-2
61-8
811
26-4«
92-1*
35-5
63-4
45-8
57-2
70-0
641
95
6l-lt
75-7
790
t Year 1885.
X Year 1875.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
The chief results to be gathered from it are : —
1. The exceptions to a steady increase of the national shipping
throughout the period are observable in Russia, Portugal, Italy,
and the United States.
2. The national shipping of the United Kingdom employed in
the trade of the kingdom, which in 1870 fell somewhat short of
the national shipping employed in the trade of all the other
countries, eleven in number, exceeded it in 1880, and in 1886-87,
viz.: —
In 1870 ....
„ '80 ....
„ '86-87
Briti.sh.
25,072,000
41,349,000
47,950,000
Other Nation.s.
26,978,000
37,797,900
46,155,000
3. The several cotmtries stand in the following order as
regards the total tonnage, national and foreign, which entered and
cleared in the poi-ts of each in the last year, 1886 or 1887 : —
[OOO's omitted.]
United Kingdom
„ States
France
Germany
Spain
Russia
Italy
Sweden
Holland
Portugal
Denmark
Norway
Total
65,162,
30,569,
26,750,
23,299,
17,081,
12,501,
12,239,
9,016,
8,171,
6,962,
5,915,
4,686,
222,351,
Percentage.
29-3
13-8
120
10-5
7-6
5-6
5-5
4-1
3-7
31
2-7
21
100-0
4. Spain has made the greatest proportionate increase in the
amount of its national tonnage employed during this period.
5. The percentage proportion of national tonnage employed
has increased notably in the United Kingdom, and less considerably
during the years for which the record exists in Sweden, Denmark,
Germany, and Spain ; and has fallen off more or less heavily in
Russia, Norway, Holland, France (with a revival in 1886), Portugal,
Italy, and the United States.
6. The order in which each country stood as regards the
employment of its national shipping, and its dependence on foreign
tonnage, in 1887 was as follows : —
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
89
United Kingdom
Norway
Denmark
Germany
Spain
Sweden ,
France
Holland
Italy
United States ..
Russia in Europe
Portugal
Employment of
National Tonnage.
Per cnt.
73-6
64-5
54-2
42 -S
38 9
36 -6
35-9
30-0
24-3
21-0
7-9
5
Foreign Tonnape.
Per cnt.
26
35
45
57
61
63
64
70
75
79
92
95
b. Emflo^jmerit of British Vessels in Foreign Countries.
The next statement stows the extent to which British tonnage
has been employed in the trade of the other principal maritime
countries during the same years as in the last abstract.
Table XXII. — Percentage Proportion of Tonnage of British Vessels,
Sailing and Steamers, with Cargoes and in Ballast, which Entered
and Cleared in each Country in certain Years hetvjeen 1850 and
. 1887.
(Compiled from same as Table
XXI.)
Percentage Proportion of British Tonnage Entered
and Cleared in Trade of each Country.
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1886 or
1887.*
United Kingdom
651
10
34-7
29-3
56-3
20
37-2
29-8
24-8
68-4
37-7 1
11-8
11-4 1
31-9 11
53-8
39-8
66-7
25-8
441
70-4
42-7 t
11-8
13-5
38-1
49-8
40-6
630
34-3
51-7
73-6*
48-3
Norway
13-8
Sweden
18-2 §
Germany
34-2
Holland
51-9
France
41-7
Portugal
56-0
Italy
48-4
United States
50-7
+ Year 1875. % Year 1881.
II Year 1875, and including coasting trade.
§ Year 1885.
It will be seen that —
1, The proportion of British tonnage employed in the United
Kingdom, which appears to have fallen off heavily between 1850
and 1860, recovered itself in 1870, and has increased slowly up
to 1887.
90
Maritime Trade of the United Kinrjdom, 1854-
2. Between 1870 and 188G-87, for which years the returns are
complete, it has increased greatly in Russia, Sweden, Italy, and
the United States, and moderately in Norway, Germany, and
France ; and has decreased in Holland and Portugal.
3. The following is the actual amount of British tonnage
employed in the trade of each country in the latest year for which
a record is furnished, and the percentage proportion which it bore
to the total tonnage in each :—
Year.
Tons.
[OOO's omitted.]
Proportion
to Total Tonnage.
United States
1886
1885
12,505,
4,837,
11,153,
5,925,
5,586,
4 243,
3,941,
1,643,
654,
Per cent.
50-7
Kussia in Europe
48-3
France
41-7
Italy
48" 4
Germany
342
Holland
51-9
Portugal
Sweden
56-6
182
Norway
13-8
Total
~
50,487,
—
4. The total amount, 50,487,000 tons, exceeds by nearly 9 per
cent, the total amount of British tonnage employed in the trade of
the United Kingdom in the same year, 1886, which amounted to
46,078,299 tons.
5. It represents 50'5 out of 118 millions of tons, or 42-8 per
cent., of the total tonnage employed in the trade of the above nine
countries in the year 1886.
6. If the above 50'5 millions of tons be added to the 46 millions
of British tonnage employed in the trade of the United Kingdom
in the same year, the proportion of British tonnage to that of
foreign tonnage employed in the trade of these ten countries
(including the United Kingdom) will be 96'5 millions of British
tonnage to 138*7 millions of foreign tonnage, or 41 per cent, of
the shipping trade of the whole.
7. The amount of British shipping employed in the " carrying
" trade " of these eight countries may be ascertained by deducting
from the above 46 millions of tons the amount of British tonnage
employed in the direct trade between the United Kingdom and
those countries, which amounted to 24"5 millions of tons. The
dift'erence as 21'5 millions of tons. If to this be added the same
proportion (42'8 per cent.) of the other seven principal maritime
countries of which the returns for the year 1885 are furnished in
tlio latest Statistical Abstract of foreign countries published by
the Board of Trade, viz., Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Austria,
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
PI
Chili, the Argentine Eepublic, China, the British tonnage
employed in the carrying trade of these fifteen countries will
amount to 45"8 millions of tons, or within a fraction of the total
amount of tonnage employed in the trade of the TTuited Kingdom
in the same year. If on the one hand it be objected that British
tonnage in foreign countries includes Colonial, on the other hand
it must be noted that a probably much larger addition must be
made to the above 45 '8 millions of tons on account of the British
shipping employed in the carrying trade of all the rest of the
world, including all British Possessions.
8. The foreign tonnage employed in the trade of the United
Kingdom in 1886 was 16" 7 millions of tons, out of a total trade of
62-8 millions, or 267 per cent. In 1887 it was slightly reduced to
17'2 millions, out of 65 millions, or 26"4 per cent.
c. Tonnage of Vessels belonging to each Country.
The next statement exhibits the total tonnage belonging to
each country in the same years.
Tonnage of the Merchant Navies of the principal Maritime Countries
in certain Years betioeen 1850 and 1887.
(Comjjiled from same as Table XXI.)
[OOO's omitted.]
Total Tonnage belonging to each Country.
Countries.
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1886 or
1887.*
X-'nitpcl KiiTTclom
3,505,
727,
4,587,
1,124,
5,618,
1,531,
6,520,
1,927,
7,296,
1,839,
Total, British Empire
4,232,
5,611,
7,149,
8,447,
9,237,
Russia
298,
71,
68,
293,
35,
688,
1,586,
1,900,
559,
142,
122,
434,
33,
996,
263,
2,546,
2,753,
1,022,
347,
179,
184,
172,
982,
390,
30,
1,072,
1,012,
329,
404,
1,517,
2,678,
468,
1,519,
543,
219,
244,
270,
1,182,
328,
76,
919,
999,
291,
492,
1,524,
517,t
Denmark
272,
Hamburg
341,
334,
German Empire, total
1,285,
Holland
286,
87,
993,
Italy
946,
262,
259,*
United States, foreign trade
1,.353, I.OIC,
„ home and internal ditto....
2,715,
3,090,*
t Year 1885.
It shows with regard to those countries for wliicli the returus
run through the whole period thus : —
92
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
The tonnage between 1850 and 1886-87 has doubled in theUnited
Kingdom. ; more than doubled in the British Possessions and Bel-
gium ; has increased five-fold in Norway, Hamburg, and Bremen ;
increased in Holland in 1860-70, and decreased in 1886 below the
amount at which it stood in 1850 ; has remained stationary in France
since 1860 ; had increased in the United States as regards shipping
employed in foreign trade in 1860, but has since decreased to one-
third below the amount at which it stood in 1850 ; as regards the
river, lake, and home trade it has increased slowly since 1860.
As regards the other countries : the tonnage since 1870 has in-
creased considerably in Sweden, Denmark, and the German Empire ;
has fallen off in Italy and Austria-Hungary ; has increased slightly
in Russia since 1880.
d. Steam Vessels belonging to each Gauntry.
The next statement shows a similar return of the tonnage of
steamers only, in which the progress among foreign nations has
been somewhat more rapid, and in the latest year of the series has
in several instances outstripped the United Kingdom; but a glance
at the relative proportion between the steamer tonnage of all the
countries put together and that of the United Kingdom, and an
examination of the remaining tables of this series, will remove all
apprehension of any serious disturbance of the present proportions.
Tonnage of Steam Vessels belonging to the Merchant Navies of the prin-
cipal Maritime Countries in certain years between 1850 a7id 1887.
(Compiled from same as Table XXI.) [OOO's omitted.]
Tonnage of Steam Vessels
Country
belonging to each
-
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
1886 or
1887.*
United Kingdom
168,
20,
452,
48,
1,111,
91,
2,721,
228,
4,081,
329,
Total British. Empire
188,
500,
1,202,
2,941,
4,410,
3,
3,
2,
14,
45,
■481,
10,
8,
10,
4,
68,
17,
770,
14,
10,
32,
41,
82,
19,
9,
154,
32,
50,
5,
192,
883,
89,
58,
81,
52,
99,
59,
216,
64,
65,
278,
77,
63,
147,
1,065,
130,
113,
110,t
88,
Hamburg
Bremen
206,
116,
German Empire, total
454,
Holland
Belgium
109,
81,
France
500,
Italy
144,
Austria-Hungary
Greece
United States, foreign trade
„ home and internal trade....
90,
31,*
173,*
1,369,*
t Year If^S.-i.
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
93
The principal results of this abstract are : —
1. The steam tonnage of all countries (exclusive of that em-
ployed in the United States in the river, lake, and home trade)
was, as compared with British : —
British Empire.
In 1870
1,201,000
„ '80
2,949,000
„ '86-87
4,410,000
Other Countries.
640,000 = 34 per cent, of the total
1,346,000 = 31 „
2,335,000 = 33
2. The steam tonnage of the United States employed exclusively
in the river, lake, and home trade has nearly doubled since 1860,
and now amounts to 1,369,000 tons. If this be added to the above
total of other nations, British steam tonnage will still show an
excess of nearly a million tons.
In connection with the preceding comparisons, it should be
noted that according to " Lloyd's Universal Register " the number
of British vessels belonging to the United Kingdom on 30th April
1888, was-
sailing Tessels 3,403
Steam „ 4,966
8,369
and that at the same date the number of vessels belonging to the
British colonies and foreign countries which had been built in the
United Kingdom was —
Sailing vessels 1,328 = 37'0 per cent. 1 of the number belonging
Steam „ 2,373 — 47'7 „ J to the United Kingdom
3,701
Deducting the number belonging to British colonies, (741)
2,960 had been supplied by British shipbuilders to foreign
countries, which is just 35 per cent, of the number on the res-ister
of the United Kingdom.
e. Increase of Tonnage in each Country.
This is shown in the two following statements, the first
exhibiting the total tonnage added in each of the pi'incipal
maritime countries of Europe at decennial intervals from lb50 to
1880, and in each year from 1881 to 1886-87 ; and the second
comparing the addition made in the United Kingdom, and in all
the other European countries, in each year from 1878 to 1886-87.
94
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
Tonnage of Shipping added to the' Merchant Navies of the Principal
Maritime Countries of Europe in certain Years between 1850
and 1886.
(Compiled from same as Table XXT.)
Total Tonnage to Merchant Navy of each Country.
Total of
Yrs.
United
preceding
Kingdom.
Norway.
Sweden.
mark.
Germany.
Holland.
France.
Italy.
Foreign
Coun-
tries.
1850
133,695
11,115
—
—
18,572
44,032
'601301,535
20,884
—
—
—
11,866
43,823
—
—
70
391,831
69,415
25,434
—
—
19,406
63,372
106,162
—
'80
411,736
71,427
13,152
12,273
80,827
14,690
46,830
31,863
271,062
'81
561,750
78,748
18,274
18,455
88,537
18,883
55,644
41,090
319,631
'82 714,521
74,776
15,171
17,146
118,728
12,777
135,206
43,548
428,352
'83 751,950
88,311
18,201
20,259
128,145
27,560
84,610
41,055
408,141
'84. 51-9,89G
84,896
26,237
17,654
85,919
17,032
77,634
39,619
348,991
'85423,711
69,421
17,458
9,197
44,179
13,433
25,611
30,165
209,464
'86 323 897
37,495
■ —
5,908
52,405
8,443
41,467
49,473
212,649
'87 384,537
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Tonnage of Shipping added to the Merchant Navies of the United
Kingdom, and of the other Principal Maritime Countries of
Europe, viz., Norioay, Sxveden, Denmark, Germany, Holland,
France, and Italy, in each Year from 1878 to 1887.
(Compiled from same as Table XXI.)
Years.
1878
'79
'80
'81
'82
'83
'84
'85
'86
'87,
United Kingdom.
464,511"
561,750i
vsiSih''''"^
549,896j
423,7111 -
323,897/'^'^'°°^
384,537
Other European
Countries.
268,711
266,578
271,062
319,631
428,352
408,141
348,99lJ
209,4641 211000
212,649/"'^^'"""
average
269,000
■376,000
I'rom the latter it will be seen that simultaneouslj with the
great increase in shipbuilding in the United Kingdom during the
four years 1881-84, which averaged 50 per cent, above the mean
of 1878-80, there was an increase on the continent which averaged
40 per cent. This increase was greatest in Norway, Germany, and
France.
2. The sudden decrease commencing in 1884 was spread alike
over the United Kingdom and continental Europe. In the two
Maritime Trade of the United Kingdom, 1854-88.
95
years 1885-86 it amounted to 42 per cent, in the former, and
40 per cent, in the latter.
3. The rate of increase of the continental mercantile marine
has been diminishing at each period, as compared with that of
the British, viz. : —
Total
Annual Increase.
Percentage Proportion of Increase.
British.
Foreign.
Average of IBYS-SO
Tons.
698,000
1,020,000
585,000
62
63
64
38
„ '81-84
37
,, '85-86
36
4. The addition to the tonnage of Europe in the nine years
1878-86 was 7,374,000 tons, of which the United Kingdom fur-
nished 4,613,000 tons, or 62'6 per cent. In the last year, 1886,
the United Kingdom furnished 60 per cent.
5. Of the 37'4 per cent, added by continental Europe —
10*3 per cent, was furnished by Germany.
8-5
7-5
4-9
2-2
20
2-0
37-4
Norway.
France.
Italy.
Holland.
Sweden.
Denmark.
6. Although France is among the European countries in which
the addition to its shipping has been the greatest, a large propor-
tion since 1872, when the distinction was first made in the retui^ns,
bas been by purchase from foreigners, viz. : —
From 1872 to 1886 Built at home 493,000 tons = 56 per cent.
Bought from foreigners 396,000 „ = 44 „
889,000
100
The sales to foreigners during the same period have amounted
to 238,000 tons, equal to 27 per cent, of the total built and bought.
96
Part IY.— TRADE OF THE BRITISH
EMPIRE, 1872-86.
§ 1. Aggregate of British Possessions.
The fourfh and last part of this review will comprise the Imports
and Exports of the whole Empire, and of its several parts, for a
period of fifteen years, from 1872 to 188fi, being the usual term
comprised in the annual, " Statistical Abstract," and the compa-
risons being brought down to the latest date of publication. It
might have been better, as the years 1872-74 were a period of
exceptional commercial inflation in the United Kingdom, to have
commenced the comparison from an eai'lier date, but the trouble
and delay of computation created an obstacle to this, and it will be
sufficient to keep the point in mind, and, where practicable, to
carry the starting point further back, in order to make the
comparisons as fair as possible. At the same time it is in these
tables that the difficulty caused by variations in prices, and in the
case of the United Kingdom by the continuous and heavy fall in
the pi'ices both of Imports and Exports during the last fifteen years,
comes into full force, and calls for the exercise of the greatest
caution in drawing conclusions from the simple figures as to the
volume of trade at different dates. Nothing is known— or at least
I'ecorded — as to the variation of prices in the several Possessions,
but it may reasonably be assumed that if they have fallen, their fall
has not been generally comparable with that which has occurred
in the United Kingdom.
Notes on Tables XXIII and XXIV.
These two tables contain a return of the average annual value
of Imports into and Exports from each part of the British Empire,
calculated in ti-iads from 1872-74 to 1884-86, with the percentage
difference of increase or decrease at each triennial period.
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-8G.
97
Taiu.k XXIIT. — Total Value of Imports {inclvding Bullion and Specie) info
each part of the British Emprire in each Tnennial Period between 1872 and
1886 ; also the Percentage Proportion of the Difference at each period.
(Conipili-d from " Statistical Abstracts.")
[OOO's omitted ]
India
Straits Settlements...
Ceylon
Mauritius
Labuan
Australasia —
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia ,
Tasmania
New Zealand
Queenslanu
fiji
Cape of Good Hope..
Natal
St. Helena
Lagos .
Gold Coast
Sierra Leone
Gambia
Canada
Newfoundland
15erniuda
Honduras
liiitish West Indies —
Bahamas
Turk's Islands
Jamaica
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Barbados
Grenada
TobaL'o
Virgin Islands.
St. Kitts
Nevis
Antitcua
Montserrat
Dominica
Trinidad
British Guiana...
Kalkland Isiands .
An-STRACT.
India
Asia and Mauritius
Australasia
Afiica
America — North
West Indies
South
Total of British Possessions
Total Value of Imports
(Annual Average).
1872-74 1875-77
,903.
,929,
,360,
,576,
ICO,
,962,
,726.
,542,
296,
.057,
,576,
,5S3,
5,789,
986,
79,
3.'5,
26-,
411,
122,
25,532,
1,447,
2.'-)8,
194,
204,
24,
1,685,
133,
158,
1,117,
127,
49,
4,
159.
46.
172,
21,
63,
1,300,
1,884,
29,
39,903,
19,957,
39,742,
7,972,
27,431,
5,265,
1, 13,
142,183,
45,811,
12,193,
5,603,
2,279,
133,
13,923,
16,251,
4,468,
366,
1,209,
7.303,
3,508,
137,
5,683.
1,153,
10:i,
517,
379,
340,
108,
21.917,
1,523,
256,
168,
160,
23,
1,671,
123
154,
I.IJO,
120.
60,
5,
135,
32,
1<=.5,
25,
61,
1,627,
2,016,
34,
45,811,
20,208,
47,16.%
8,289,
23,864,
5,481,
2,050,
152,868,
52,166,
14,135,
5 008,
2,275,
157,
14,306,
15 251,
5,438,
380,
1..320.
7,764,
3.201,
200,
7,449,
2,077,
96,
473,
35 1 ,
476,
182,
18,162,
1,465,
246,
196,
179,
23,
1,438,
115,
154,
1,099,
142,
41,
6,
173,
34,
lh9,
26,
64,
2.169,
2,073,
36.
160,715,
United Kingdom... 396,550, 416,995, |40.%275,
British Kmpire ,5.38,733, 569,86.3, .%5,990,
1881-83. 1884-86.
62,696,
16,967,
4 43:t,
2,7li5,
129,
19,883, 22,4-22,
17,73
6,080.
477,
1.645,
8,013,
5,538,
375,
8,709,
1,959,
77,
426,
391,
402,
179,
24,792,
1,691,
234,
206,
2li,
1,4,3.%
148,
143,
1.146,
134,
51,
fi,
179,
40,
172,
28,
69,
2 429,
2,036,
69,627,
19,155.
2,571,
83,
,696,
,240,
,7 8,
,143,
,978,
,212
.079,
194,096,
431,547, 391,634
18,."i92
6,297,
643,
1,723,
7,301,
6,302,
325,
4,741,
1,508
61,
479,
4.'-)6,
351.
126,
22.900,
1,444
266,
243,
202,
28,
1,442,
121,
10>,
970,
140.
28,
186,
148,
2,610,
1,634,
69,027,
26.086,
62, 1.05,
24,' 853,
0.060,
1,697,
198,650,
rerctntase. DitTerence
at each Period.
1875-77
62.5,643 '.590,284,
14-8
2-3
4
-11
33-0
39-7
3-3
26 -2
14
11
35-8
- 1
16-9
3H-1
5:1-1
45 -9
-17-3
- 1 1 -o
-14-1
•5 '2
-0-8
-13-4
21 -5
- 4-2
- 0-8
- 7-5
1878-80. 1881-83. 1884-86
13-9
15-9
-10-6
- 0'2
18-0
6-1
21-7
3.8
9-2
6.3
- 8-7
46-0
31 1
80-1
-12-0
- 8-5
- 7-4
40-0
68-5
-17-1
- ;V8
- 3-9
16-7
-11-9
- 13 -0
-6-5
0-3 - 1 -9
- 5-5 5-9
22-5 -31-6
25 -0
r-i5-i
\-;^
(iold Coast
Sierra Leone
Gambia
Canada
Newfoundland
H' rimiia
llonilur.'is
Hiitisli West Indies —
Bahamas
Turin's Islands
Jamaica
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Barbados
Grenada
Tobago
Virgin Islands
St. Kitts
Nevis
Antigua
Montserrat
Dominica
Trinidad
British Guiana
Falkland Islands
AfSFBACr.
India
Asiii and Mauritius
Australasia
Africa
America — North
West Indies
South
Total of British Po.ssessions
Total Value of Exports
(Annual Average).
1872-74.
1875-77.
1878-80.
1881-83
1814-86.
£
£
£
£
59,381,
61,106,
67,200,
81,205,
86,467,
11.178,
11.576,
13,396,
1.5,002,
17.214,
4,321,
5,205,
4,714,
3,378,
3,093,
3,213,
3,332,
3,663,
3,807,
3,575,
106
126,
163,
136,
83,
*8,759,
l.'?,267.
13,859,
17,.551,
16,783
14,872,
14.707,
14,444,
16,281,
14,466,
4,243,
4,749.
5,231,
4,884,
5,510,
301,
3S7,
468,.
511,
494,
910,
1,211,
1,376,
1,625,
1,373,
5,351,
5,943,
6,037,
6,605,
6,861,
•3, ISO,
3,930,
3,357,
4,117,
4,950,
113,
197,
239,
318,
681,
728,
723,
777,
932,
4,436,
3,8^7,
4,030,
4,609,
3,920,
32,
51,
44,
29,
20.
446,
624,
603,
545,
608,
t385,
393,
435,
369,
457.
461,
345,
386,
409,
343,
139,
120,
183,
201,
133,
18,179,
16,300,
16,578,
20,730,
18,465,
1,3.59,
1,377,
1,193,
1,519,
1,122,
71,
70,
73.
96,
83,
220,
178,
190,
267,
281,
141,
109,
134,
141,
161,
27,
27.
24,
28,
32,
1,362,
1.462,
1,360,
1.399,
1.391,
161,
161,
186,
202,
124,
217,
189,
160,
164,
106,
1,062,
1,179,
1,168,
1,158,
1,021,
1-50,
165,
157,
191,
191,
68,
80,
72,
59,
33,
5,
5,
5,
s,
4,
157.
148,
188,
1237,
} §-^04,
60,
54,
48,
t61.
143,
201,
244,
224,
165,
33,
31,
32,
36,
23,
70,
75,
74,
61,
50,
1..529,
1,785,
2,096,
2,413.
2,. 508,
2,481,
2,806,
2,613,
2,993,
1,988,
38,
45,
70,
83,
102,
59,381,
61,106,
67,2(10,
81,205,
86,467,
18,m21,
20,239,
21,836,
22,323,
23,966,
37,616,
44,307,
44,9.59,
61,813,
.50,755,
6,. 580,
6,168,
6,404,
6,929,
6,413,
19 829,
17,926,
18,034,
22.612
19,951,
5,175,
5.671,
6,947,
6,368,
6,003,
2,519,
149,921.
2,851,
2,683,
3,076,
194,326,
2,090,
1S6,644,
158,257,
167,063,
335,111,
295,879,
284,947,
323,029
300.276,
485,032,
464,136,
452,010,
517,355.
495,920,
Percentage DifTerence
at each Period.
1875-77. 1878-80. 1881-83,
2-9
3-6
20-4
3-7
18-9
(
51 -5
- 1-1
11-9
28-6
33-1
11-1
23-6
6-9
-12-1
59-4
39-9
2-1
■ 10 -3
1-3
- 1-4
-19-1
-22-7.
-12 -9
11 -0
10-0
37-9
9-9
15-7
-9-4
6-9
29-4
4-4
- 1-7
10-1
18-4
13-6
1-6 !
-14-6 1
74-3
-0-7
3-4 i
-13-7
-3-4
10-7
11-9
,52 -5
1-7
-13-4
4-3
6-7
22-9
-Il-l
- 7-0
14-9
-15-3
- 0-9
- 4-9
-10-0
- 5-7
-lO-O
40-5
- 6-1
7-1
16-7
13-1
18-4
2-9:
7-5!
12-5
■ 6-4
- 9-6
9 -el
13-2
27-0
-11-1
21 -3
3-2
- 1-3
17-4
- 6-8
55-5
9-9
7-9
1-5
4-0
0-6
4-9
-5-8
5-6
■11-7
- 6-3
20-8
12-0
-■-8 -3
6-9
-16-6
26-6
12-7
-6-6
11-6
18-1
9-4
7-4
14-3
-34-1
- 9-6
-17-4
5-9
9-8
25-0
27-3
31-5
40-5
5-2
16-7
2-8
9-2
- 3-7
-0-8
21-7
-18-1
26-1
27-1
- 8-2
9-4
-17-6
15-1
14-5
18-6
20-8
2-2
15-2
8-2
25-3
7-1
14-6
5-5
3-7
16-3
13-3
Exclusive of overland traffic
t Kigures of 1872. t Average of 1881-82
§ Kicures of 1883-86.
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
99
a. liritish Possessions examined separatehj.
The several Possessions have been p^rouped in the same manner
as previously in Part II, and the tigures for the United Kingdom
have been added, although for the reason above stated there is
strong ground for believing that a fair comparison cannot be
instituted between the aggregates of the Possessions and those of
the United Kingdom, while the increase in the former disappears,
and the aggregate of the Empire is dragged down by the fall in
prices in the last triad of the period.
The trade of all the British Possessions taken together may be
examined first. There has been a continuous increase both of
Imports and Exports in each triad, but the increase in the years
1881-88 has been in both three or four times as great as in any of
the other triads. Thus : —
Trade of the British Possessio7is.
Total Value [OOO's omitted].
Percentage Increase at each I'liini.
Imports.
Exports.
Imports.
Exports.
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
'81-83
'84-86
£
142,183,
152,868,
160,715,
194,096,
198,650,
£
149,921,
158,257,
167,063, »
194,326,
195,644,
Per cent.
7-5
51
20-8
2-3
Per cent.
5-6
5-5
16-3
0-7
On the above it may be noted — -
1. That the increase has been greater in Imports than in
Exports in three out of the four periods.
2. That the actual amount of Exports exceeded that of Imports
in each of the first four periods, but the excess was gradually
diminishing, and had nearly disappeared in the fourth ; and that
in the fifth and last the Imports had begun to exceed the Exports,
indicating in this respect a growing a[)proximation to the propor-
tions which have long existed in the United Kingdom and the
majority of old countries.
3. The total increase between the first and last triad has been
for Imports 39'8 per cent., and for Exports 30"5 per cent., the
increase in both having been small in the last period, after the
very large increase in the one immediately preceding it.
b. British Possessions compared ivith the Lirited Kingdom.
The corresponding figures for the United Kingiloin tell a
different tale, as far as the recorded value of the trade is cou-
n 2
100
Trade of the British Empire, 1872 8G.
cei-ned ; but if the variations in prices in the British Possessions
coukl be ascertained, and if it should turn out that there has been
no such fall as in the United Kingdom, the difference would not
be so striking, and a comparison between the two might be fairly
instituted ; but this is now, and will probably remain for some
time, an impossibility. As they stand, the figures run thus : —
Trade of the United Kingdom.
Total Value (OOO's omitted).
I'ereentage Difference at each
Period.
Imports.
£
396,550,
416,995,
405,275,
431,547,
391,634,
Exports.
Imports.
Exports.
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
£
335,111,
295,879,
284,947,
323,029,
300,276,
Per cent.
+ 5-2
-2-8
+ 6-5
- 92
Per cent.
-11-7
- 37
'81-83
'81-86
+ 13 3
- 70
1. Here, instead of a continuous increase, there has been
generally a decrease, except in the years 1881-83, in which, as in
the British Possessions, there was a notable increase both in
Imports and Exports.
2. The Imports have always largely exceeded the Exports. On
the average of the fifteen years the excess was just a third, or
32 8 per cent.
3. Instead of an increase between the two extreme triads, there
has been a falling off in Imports of 1'2 per cent., and in Exports
of lO'l. But it must not be overlooked that 1872-74 was a period
of great inflation. If the comparison be made with the years
18(19-71,* there has been an increase of 16'8 per cent, in Imports,
and of 8 per cent, in Exports.
c. Estimated increase of Quantity ax Prices of 1872-74.
The method employed in this review, of measuring the average
prices in each year, supplies the means of calculating what the
value of Imports and Exports into and from the United Kingdom
in each triad would have been, if the prices had remained stationary,
tlie same as they were in the first triad. The comparative results
are shown in the following statements : —
* Duclanii value of Imports in 1869-71.
„ E.\.porLb „
339,276,000
277,907,090
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
101
iDijiiirfs into the United Kinr/df)))).
As recorded.
Calculated on ?> ices of
First Tiiad.
Percent;! i;e
Increase
on calculated
Average
A verage
rices
Price per
Fri.e per
at each Pcriml.
[000s omitted.]
Ton.
[OOO's omitted.]
Ton.
£
£
£
£
I'er cent.
1872-74
306,550,
19-6
396,550,
19-6
—
'75-77
41fi,995,
18 1
450,155,
„
13-5
'78-80
405,275,
17-2
461,825,
,,
2-6
'81-83
431,547,
10-7
506,4S6,
^j'
9-6
'84.-86
391,634,
14-8
518,650,
»
2-4
which .shows an increase of 30*8 per cent, bt'tweeu the tir.st and
last triads, comparable with the increase of 39"8 per cent, in the
corresponding Imports into the British Possessions.
Exports from the United Kinijdom.
As recorded.
Calculated at Price of
First Triad.
Percentage
Incn ase
at calculated
Amount,
Average
PriLe per
Amount.
Average
Price per
Prices
at each Period.
[OOO's omitted.]
Ton.
£
[OOO's omitted ]
£
Tun.
£
£
Per cent.
1872-74
335,111,
15-9
335,111,
15-9
—
'75-77
295,879,
12-9
364,688,
,,
8-7
'78-80
284,947,
11-1
406,365,
„
11 -4
'81-8<
323,029,
10-9
471,207,
,,
13-2
'84^86
300,276,
9-5
502,567,
■'
6-6
which shows an increase of 50 per cent, between the first and last
triads, largely exceeding the increase of 8()'5 per cent, in the
coiTCsponding value of Kxports fi'om the British Possessions.
For the reason above given it does not appear expedient to
exhibit here the aggregate of the United Kingdom and the Posses-
sions, as the resnlts would give a misleading view of the total
trade, but the figui-es are available for examination in the table ;
and for the same reason, in comparing the proportion which the
trade of the United Kingdom and the Possessions bore to one
another at the two ends of the period, it appears desirable to show
the calculation both for the actual declared value, and for the
estimated value on the supposition that the prices had remained
.stationary.
lOi
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
Cakulateii on Declared Value.
Calculated on Stationary Value.
Percentage Proportion of
Percentage Proportion of
United Kingdom,
British Possessions.
United Kingdom.
British Possessions.
Imports.
1872-74
'84-80
Exports.
1872-74
'84-8(5
740
6r)3
fiOO
GOG
260
337
310
394
740
72-3
69-0
72
260
27-7
310
28-0
The proportions are not so ranch changed as might be antici-
pated, and it may be assumed that the real pi'oportions lie about
midway, and that the proportion at the present time of Import
trade of the Empire carried on by the Posses.sions is about 30 per
cent., and of the Export trade about 35 per cent.
§ 2. British Posnexsions in Groups.
As regards the progress of trade in different parts of the
Empire, Table XXIII shows, with respect to Imports, that—
1. There has been a continuous increase at each triad in India,
Asia, and Australasia, the amount of which has been very steady
in India, and very variable in the other two sections. In all thi-ee
the greatest increase was in 1881-83.
2. In Africa there was an increase in the earlier triads, with a
heavy falling off of 364 per cent, in the last. The inc.-rease in
1878-80 was very large, one-third (33"9 per cent.).
8. In North America there was a heavy falling off in the earlier
periods, a large increase, 344' per cent., in 1881-83, and a moderate
falling oif in the following triad.
4. The West Indies exhibit a moderate continnons increase
in all but the last triad, in which there was a small falling otf of
2'4 per cent.
5. In South America the first two comparisons exhibit a
moderate or small increase, and the latter two one small and
one large decrease.
6. There was a large increase in 1881-83 in India, Asia,
Australasia, and North America, and only a small increase or a
falling off in Africa, the West Indies, and South America.
Similar compaiisons with regard to Exports derived from
Table XXIV exhibit the following results. There has been —
1. A continuous but an unsteady increase in India and Asia.
2. An increase in Australasia and the West Indies — very
Trade of tlie British Empire, 1872-86.
108
Tinsteadv in the former — and a small falling- oif in tlie last triad
in both.
3. A decrease in the second and last triads in both Africa and
North America, and great unsteadiness, culminating in a heav\'
falling off, in the last triad in South America.
4. There was a large increase in 1881-!-!3 onlj in India and
North America, a modenite increase in the same triad in Australasia
and South America, with a small increase in Asia, Africa, and the
West Indies.
An examination of the trade of each Possession will be ju'esentlv
made in connection with the shipping, and the distribution of the
trade of each.
Before quitting this branch of the subject it will be interesting
to ascertain whether, and to what extent, the trade of the British
Posse.ssions taken collectively has increased, in proportion to that
of the United Kingdom, and the following statement shows that it
has increased considerably and continuously, and also to the same
extent both in Imports and Exports, during the last fifteen years : —
Imports.
Exports.
Vears.
United
Kingdom.
British
Possessions.
United
Kin^d ni.
Briti-h
Poesessions.
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
'81-83
'84-8^4 and 1885.
106
Trade of tie British Kmpire, 1872-86.
Table XXVI. — Total Tonnage of Vesselx, British and Foreign, tchich Entered and Cleared with
Cargoes and in Ballast (exclusive cj" the Coasting Trade), in each jiart of the British Empire,
in the two Triennial Periods \H7 7 -79 and 1884-86; also the Percentage Proportion of the
Foreign Tonnage at each period, and the Increase and Decrease of British and Foreign
respect ircli/ let ween the two periods.
[OOO's omitted.]
Total Tonnage Entered and Cleared.
Percentage
Proportion of
toriign.
Percentage Dif-
ference between
the two Periods.
J877-79.
Annual Average.
1884-86.
Annual Aver
age.
Total.
1877-79.
1884-86.
British.
I'oreign.
British.
Foreign.
Total.
British.
Foreign.
4,600.
2,843,
IH.
3,780,
2,176,
343,
2,173,
1,049,
1,764,
760,
152,
338,
742,
33,
1,011,
259,
109,
280,
109,
277,
97,
4,076.
537,
138,
53
50,
27,
552,
105,
37,
319,
129,
1-,
9,
61,
82.
15.
19,
4«5,
riot (lisli
20,
4.60".
9.160,
7,011,
2,142,
4,804,
1,8G'2,
not disli
29,579,
3.5,830,
65,409,
985,
1,336,
2,
1,2-28,
381,
-209,
239,
44,
145,
77,
9,
1,
132,
15,
203,
29,
2i»,
67,
32,
55,
49,
2,396,
56,
45,
34,
119,
69,
185,
46,
5,
93,
19,
'"33
17,
2,
7,
251,
nguislied
3,
985.
3,1.56
062,
455,
2,531,
846,
iipruislied
8,535,
16,117,
•24,6.52,
5,585,
4,179,
20,
5,008,
2,5.57,
552,
2,412,
1,093,
1,909,
837,
161,
339,
874,
48,
1,214,
288,
129,
347,
141,
332,
146,
6,472,
593,
183,
87,
1G9,
96,
737.
151,
42,
412,
118,
12,
9,
94,
99,
n,
26,
696,
537,
23,
5.58.5,
12,316,
7,673,
•2,597,
7,335,
2,708.
560,
5.829,
4,370,
45,
6,034,
3,033,
373,
3,854,
3,320,
2,958,
1,446,
454,
653,
939,
103,
1,351,
368,
111,
346,
492,
369,
107,
4,073,
6^25,
208,
102,
60,
64,
723,
376,
161,
786,
263,
10,
367.
3ti3,
•204.
277,
736,
422,
14,
5,829,
1.3,855,
13,727,
3,144,
5,808,
4,488,
436,
1,235,
2,391,
4.
1,899,
632,
310,
497,
24,
424,
287,
16,
8.
89,
111
226,
33,
11.
75,
93,
49,
43,
3,185,
17,
38,
132,
159,
185,
225,
54,
11,
93.
5,
1,
"21,
19,
2,
3,
369,
230,
26,
1,235,
5,236,
1,356,
530,
3,372,
1,147,
256,
7.064,
0,761,
49,
7,9.33,
3,665,
683,
4,351,
3,344,
3,382,
1,733,
470,
661,
1,0'28,
114,
1,577.
401,
12^2,
421,
585,
418,
150,
8,058,
642.
246,
234,
219,
249,
948,
430,
17^2. t
879,
268,
99,
10,
388.
382,
•206,
280,
1,105,
652,
40,
7,064,
19,091,
15,083,
3,674.
9.180,
5,635,
69'2,
60.419,
63,798,
17-6
31-9
10-0
26 5
15-0
37-8
9-9
4-0
7 -5
9-1
5 -5
0-2
15-1
31-2
16-7
10-4
15-5
19-5
'22-6
16-5
33-5
35-4
H-0
•24-6
38-9
70-4
71-9
-25-1
30-5
12-0
22-8
12-9
0-0
35-1
17-1
11-8
•2G-9
36-1
13-0
17-6
■25 -6
8-6
17-5
34 -5
31-2
17-5
35-4
8-2
•23-8
17-3
45-4
11 -4
0-7
12-6
16-6
3-5
1-2
8-7
9-7
14-4
8-5
9-6
17-9
15-9
11-6
•28-7
39-6
2-7
15-4
56-5
72-5
74-3
-23-7
12-6
6-4
10-6
1-9
1-1
0-0
5-4
5-1
1-0
1-0
33-5
.35-3
65-0
17-5
27 -n
9
14-4
36-8
20-3
37-0
•26-8
53-7
150-0
59 -6
39-4
9-0
77-8
216-5
67-7
90-2
198-7
93-2
26-5
212 -i
33-6
42-1
1 -9
23-6
351-4
33-2
10-3
19-5
16-2
50-8
92-4
20-0
133 -3
30-9
258-1
335-1
146-4
103-9
716-6
11-1
501-6
34-3
l,26( -0
1,357 -8
65-4
*5-0
26-8
51-2
95-8
46-8
20-9
141-0
•25 -4
Straits Settlements
78-9
100-0
54 -6
6ii-0
48-3
Australasia —
New Si ■nth Wales
108-0
-45 -5
192-4
272-7
77-7
700-0
-32-6
Fiji
-26-6
11-3
Natal
14-0
St. Helena
-45-0
11-9
190-6
Sierra I^one
-10-9
12-2
Carnda
32-9
-69-6
-\h-h
268-8
British West Indies-
33-6
Turk's Islands
169-5
21-6
17-4
100 -0
-73-7
-36-1
11 8
Montserrat
Dominica
-57-1
Trinidad
47-0
83 i -3
Abstract.
India
Asia and Mauritius
•25 ^4
6.«>-9
104-8
16-5
33-2
35 -6
South
Total of British Pos.sessions*
38,774,
51,947.
90,721,
47,287,
46.380,
93,667,
13,132,
17,418,
30, .550,
22 -0
31-0
21 7
27 -3
60-0
■29-4
43-2
53-8
8-1
„ British Empire
r24,217.
27-1
■24-6
23-9
* Exclusive of Malta and Gibraltar, from which the returns are not comparable with the others, and Heligoland,
from which there is no return. f Average for l8-'4-85.
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
107
Class.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
£21-4 per
£13-5
£10-5
£8 to £9
£5 to £6
6.
7.
£4 to £5
£3 to £4
8.
9.
£2 to £3
£1 to £2
10.
£0-5 to £1 ,
11.
Under £0-5 ,
ton. British iTidia.
, New Zealand.
, United Kingdom.
, New South Wales, Mauritius, Victoria.
, South Australia, Natal, Stj-aits Settlements, Britisli
Guiana, Cape of Good Hope.
, Canada, Fiji, Tasmania, Trinidad.
, Newfoundland, Queens.Iand, Labuan, Falkland
Islands.
Western Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Lagos.
, Cejlon, Barbados, Bahamas, Gold Coast, Sierra
Leone, Bermuda, Gambia, Grenada.
, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Helena, Virgin Islands,
Antigua.
, St. Lucia, St. Yinccn*^, Tobago, Turk's Islands,
Dominica, Montserrat.
Similar order of groups : —
1. India 214
2. United Kingdom 105
3. Australasia 7'0
4. South America 5'0
5. North America 46
6. Africa 3"4
7. Asia 2-3
8. West Indies IS
Upon these statements it may be observed —
1. It is difficult to account for the immense difference between
India and the United Kingdom ; one cause may be a differ-
ence in the proportion of vessels in ballast ; another may
be the difference in the proportion of steam vessels ; a thii-d
will be the proportionately lai'ge importation of bullion and
specie into India ; and possibly one cause may be a greater
proportion both of Imports and Exports of low value in
England.
2. The high proportion of New Zealand compared with the
Australian and other Possessions, may partly be accounted
for by the small proportion of its inter-Colonial trade,
which was only 20 per cent, compared with 49"2 per cent,
in the Australian Colonies. It may be assumed that
the proportion of vessels in ballast is much larger in an
inter-colonial trade with neighbours than in a trade wirh
distant countries.
3. The position of the several Australian Colonies in thi.s
table corresponds somewhat with the proportionate amount
of the trade with British (chiefly Australian) Colonies,
and with the United Kingdom and foreign countries,
shown in Table VII Ia of Part I of this woi-k. Western
Australia and Tasmania may have been depressed in the
scale by steamers entering somewhat more largely into
their trade.
108
Trade nf the Bn'h'sh Empire, 1872-8(5.
Avt-rajri' Value
per ton.
New South Wales ....
Victoria
I'erientat'e l'ni|iortion ol Tutiil Trailc with
British Colonies.
United Kinedom and
Kort'ign Countries.
£
8 to 9
40-8
38-3
380
71-8
610
45-2
59-2
61-7
5 „ 6
4 „ 5
3 „ 4
South Australia
Tasmania
Queensland
620
28-2
390
2 „ 3
Western Australia ....
54-8
•i. Three causes have a material eif ect in producing the average
value per tou in the several Possessions. One is shown con-
spicuously in the next statement, namely, the proportion of
steamer tonnage, as exemplified in the trades of West
Africa and the West Indies, w^here the periodical visits of
passenger steamers swell the aggregates of tonnage, but
contribute comparatively little to the aggregates of Imports
and Exports.
Another cause is the proportion of small native craft which
move about constantly, but carry little cargo that is recorded at
the customs.
A third cause is the proximity of a Possession to some other
territory with which a constant intercourse is kept up, but which
contributes little to the record of Imports and Exports.
Ceylon offers a conspicuous example of the operation of all
these causes, reducing the average value of a ton to £1'7. In the
returns from this island the tonnage of steamers is not distin-
guished from that of sailing vessels, but the large proportion of it
may be inferred from the fact that of the total tonnage which
entered atid cleared in 1885, nearly 4 million of tons, H millions
(3"^ per cent.) sailed in ballast. Of the 5,828 vessels which entered
and cleared in the same year, 1,035, or 28 per cent., were British, of
an average size of 1,734 tons, evidently chiefly passenger steamers,
and 4,193, or 72 per cent., were Colonial vessels, chiefly native
craft, of an average size of 82 tons. Of the total trade of the
island in the same year 71 per cent, of the Imports and 19 per
cent, of the Exports wei'C shipped to or from India, to which must
be added the large passenger traffic in coohes. Furthermore it
appears that while the value of Imports and Exports has decreased
of late years, the tonnage (especially of foreign vessels) has
increased considerably, which, to whatever cause it may be
attributed, helps to account for the very low average value of
cary-oes.
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
109
b. Proportion of Steamer Tonnage.
The next statement shows the order in which each Britisli
Possession stands with regard to the proportion of tonnage of
steamers compared with that of sailing vessels, employed in its
trade, inwards and outwards collectively.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Proportion of
Per cc nt.
Labunn 98'7
Gold Coast 97'5
Dominica 9fil
Montserrat 96
Lagos 953
St. Lucia 94o
Sierra Leone 938
Straits Settlements 938
Grenada 91'7
St. Vincent 91-2
Tobago 90-6
Gambia 90"5
Antigua 87 8
St. Kitts and Nevis 867
Tasmania 86'0
Western Australia 80'2
Jamaica 78"8
Victoria 78-1
Bermuda 78-0
Cajx' of Good Hope 77-8
Trinidad 76"5
Steamer Tonnage.
Per cent.
22. Honduras 74-9
23. New South Wales 701
24. St. Helena 70-1
25. Bahamas 68'3
26. India 65-3
27. Fiji 651
28. Turk's Islands 620
29. Canada 592
30. Falkland Islands 565
31. Newfoundland 54-8
32. Mauritius 497
33. British Gviiana 445
34. Virgin Islands Nil
35. Ceylon
36. Hong Kong
37. South Australia
38. New Zealand
39. Queensland
40. Natal | -^
41. Barbados J
It will be seen that in Labuan, the West African Possessions,
and all the smaller West Indian Islands, a large proportion of the
tonnage consists of the passenger steamers which visit them
periodically. Returns are wanting from several important Colonies.
c. Proportion of Foreign Tonnage.
The next statement, deduced from Table XX\'', shows the order
in which each British Possession stands with regard to the pro-
portion of foreign tonnnge employed in its trade, inwards and
outwards collectively, upon the average of the years 1884-86.
no
Trade of the Brllisli Empire^ 1872-86.
Per cent
1. Turk's Islands 74-3
2. Bahamas 725
3. Falkland Islands 64-1
4. Honduras 56'o
5. Mauritius 45'4
6. Canada 39 6
7. Straits Settlements 35"4
8. Britisli G-uiana 35'3
9. Trinidad 33o
10. Gambia 287
11. Hong Kong 238
12. Jamaica 23'7
13. Lagos 17 9
14. India l7o
15. Ceylon 17 3
16. South Australia 16-6
17. Gold Coast 15-9
18. Bermuda 154
19. Cape of Good Hope 144
20. Victoria 126
21. St. Lucia 126
Proportion of Fore!(jn Tunnm/e.
Per cent.
22. Sierra Leono ITG
23. New South Wales 11-4
24. Barbados 10-3
25. Fiji 10-2
26. St. Helena 96
27. New Zealand 8"7
28. Natal 8-5
29. Labuan 82
30. St. Vincent 6-4
31. St. Kitts and Nevis 5 4
32. Antigua 5"1
33. Western Australia 3-5
34. Virgin Islands 3-0
35. Newfoundland 27
36. Grenada 2-0
37. Tasmania 1"2
38. Tobago 11
39. Dominica 11
40. Montserrat 1*0
41. Queensland 0"7
Tlie above are divided into three classes: 1, those in which
the proportion of foreign tonnage exceeds a third ; 2, those in
which it ranges from 10 to 30 per cent. ; and 3, those in which it
is less than 10 per cent.
The four Possessions in which the proportion exceeds 50 per
cent, are not important for the amount of their trade, but five
important Possessions employ from 33 to 45 per cent, of foreign
tonnage. Among these is Canada. The Australian Colonies
employ but a small proportion ; Queensland less than 1 per cent.
d. Comparison with the United Kingdom
Taking a summary view of this table, the avei-age value of
a ton in the whole Empire was £83, in the United Kingdom
£10".5, and in the Possessions £6'0. In these latter the average
ranged fi'om £21 4 in India to £1 8 in the West Indies.
The proportions of Britisli and foreign tonnage employed in
the trade of the Empire were as close as possible 75 and 25 per
cent, respectively. In the United Kingdom the proportion of
foreign was somewhat greater, viz., 27"3; in the Possessions th;it of
British was to the same extent greater, viz., 78"3.
The several groups of Colonies exhibit very different propor-
tions : —
Trade of the Britiah Empire, 1872-86.
Ill
Percentage Proportion
of Foreign Tonnage.
South America 37
North „ 36
Asia and Mauritius 27
West Indies 20
India 17
Africa 14
Australasia 9
ATeragc 21
The proportion of steam to sailing tonnage in the trade of the
Empire is 80 to 20 per cent. In the trade of the United Kingdom it
is slightly lower, 78'6, and in that of the Possessions slightly higher,
81'6 per cent. The order in which the several groups stand is : —
Percentage Proportion
of Steam Tonnage.
Asia and Mauritius 90
Africa 86
West Indies 83
Australasia 74
India 65
Korth America 59
South ,, 45
Areraffe 81 '6
§ 2. Comparisons of British and Foreign Tonnage in each Possession.
Table XXVI compares the total tonnage entered and cleared,
distinguishing British and foreign, in the first and last triad of
the ten years 1877-8G. It shows that —
1. The total tonnage employed in the trade of the EmT)irc,
inwards and outwards, had increased from 00" 7 millions of tons
to r24'2 millions, or 37'1 per cent. British tonnage had increased
from 65"4 to 93"7 millions, or 432 per cent. ; foreign tonnage had
increased from 24"6 to 30'7 millions, or 24 per cent.
2. In the trade of the United Kingdom separately the corres-
ponding changes were : —
British from 35*8 to 46 "4 nilHioii tons = 29 '4 per cent.
Foreign „ 16 •! „ 17 4 „ - 8-1 „
Total.
51-9 63-8
22-7
4. And in the trade of the British Possessions : —
British from 29-6 to 47-3 million tons =60-0 per cent.
Foreign „ 8 '5 „ 13-1 „ = 54-0 „
Total.
3S-2
60-4
112
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
§ 3. Tonnage in Trade of nil Possessions, 1885.
Tables XXVI I and XXVIII contain an epitome of a serio^ of
tables prepai-ed for the Defence Committee of the Imperial Feder-
ation League, which may be consulted in the office of the League.
They contain a return of the tonnage, distinguishing British from
Foreign, which was employed in the trade of each British Posse.s-
si(m, carried on inwards and outwards, with each country, in the
year 1885. These are brought together in different groups according
to their locality, and the groups into a single aggregate, showing
the shipping trade of the British Possessions in the latest year for
which the returns were available. These tables are too voluminous
and too detailed for this review, but some of the most interesting
features are shown in the abstracts published hei'ewith, and others
will be brought out in the following; remarks.
Table XXVII. — Percentage Proportions of the Total Tonnagp,
British and Foreign., employed in the Trade, Inwards and Out-
tvards, of all the British Possessions, exclusive of the Unittd
Kingdom, ivith different Countries, in the Year 1885.
(Conii)iited frnm returns compiled from Blue Books of tlie several Possessions.)
In Trade with
Percentage Proportions of Total Tonnage
of British Possessiims.
Total.
United Kingdom . .
British Possessions-
Australasia
India
West Indies ...
Hong Kong ...
North America
Africa
Mauritius
British Guiana
Other
Total of British Possessions.
Foreign Countries —
Cliina and Japan
United States
Asia
Europe and Egypt
Africa
Foreign West Indies
Central America
Soutli America
All other, and Fislieries
Total of Foreign Countries ..
Total
24 f)
20-2
22-40
! 15-1
15 G
15-35
! 9-0
9-7
9-35
3-6
3fi
3-«0
1 2-4
2-7
2-55
1 1-2
1-3
1-25
t 1-2
1-5
1 35
0-5
0-5
-50
3
0-3
0-3()
10
0-6
0-so
34 -3
35 -8
35 -85
14-0
14-6
14 30
9-0
9-2
9-10
8-1
9
8-55
4-0
5-8
4-90
1-8
1-9
1-85
1-4
1 •«
1 50
0-9
11
1 -00
1 0-8
0-6
0-70
0-4
0-2
30
4] I
440
42 55
100
100-0
100 00
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-8G.
113
Proportions in Trade with Different Countries.
Notes on Table XXVII.
It must be borne in mind that these tables relate exclusively
to the shipping trade of the British Possessions. The first shows
the percentage proportion of tonnage, not distinguishing British
from Foreign, employed in the trade of all the British Possessions
with different countries. The notable results are —
1. The proportion employed in the total trade with the United
Kingdom, inwards and outwards, is between a fourth and a fifth,
viz., 22'4 per cent. The intercolonial trade amounts to 35'05 per
cent., and the trade with Foreign Countries to 42"55.
2. There are some differences sufiieiently great to be worthy of
notice in the inward and outward trades. The proportion of ton-
nage arriving from the United Kingdom exceeds that despatched
thither by 44 per cent. On the other hand that of tonnage
despatched to other Colonies is 1'5 per cent, in excess, and that
despatched to Foreign Countries is 2'9 in excess. This seems to
indicate, if tonnage affords any measui-e of trade, that the Posses-
sions import more from the United Kingdom than they export
thither, and that they export more to other Colonies and to
Foreign Countries than they import from them.
The annual statements of Navigation and Shipping afford the
means of comparing the proportions of the tonnage employed in
the United Kingdom in the Foreign and Colonial trades respec-
tively with those so employed in the British Possessions. Thus in
the year 1885 —
Tonnage, OOO's omitted.
Inwards.
Outwards.
Total.
Trade of British Possessions —
In trade with United Kingdom ....
„ other Countries
7,890,
24,173,
32,06.3,
6,349, .
25,094,
14,239,
49,267,
Total
31,443,
63,50R,
Trade of United Kingdom —
In trade with British Possessions....
,, Foreign Countries ....
4,] 55,
27,707,
31,862,
6,105,
26,314,
10,260,
54,021,
Total
32,419,
64,281,
The chief points to be noted in the above figures are —
1. The total tonnage in the trade of the United Kingdom in
the year 1885 exceeded slightly that in the trade of all the British
Possessions.
2. In tlie British Possessions the total tonnage inwards
I
114
Trade of tie British Empire, 1872-86.
exceeded tlie tonnage outwards; in the United King-dom the excess
lay in the opposite direction in about the same proportions.
3. These proportions however are found to differ both in the
United Kinodom and the British Possessions when the trades
between them and between Foreign Countries are examined
separately. In the United Kingdom the imports from Foreign
Countries exceed in the proportion of 51 to 49, but the Exports
to the Possessions exceed, in the proportion of 60 to 40. In the
Possessions the Imports from the United Kingdom exceed in the
proportion of 55 to 45, while the Exports to Foreign Countries
exceed in the proportion of 51 to 49. The identity^ of this latter
proportion in the two cases is remarkable, as is also the near
approximation in the other proportion, which -will be best seen in
the followino' statement : —
Proportions of Tonnage.
Inwards.
Outwards.
Trade of British Possessions —
In trade with United Kingdom
other Countries
Per cent.
55
49
40
51
Per cent.
45
51
Trade of United Kingdom —
In trade with Biitish Possessions
60
40
3. There is one feature in the above figures which requires
investigation and explanation : how the 6'1 millions of tons which
cleai'ed from the United Kingdom figured as 7"9 millions on
arrival in the Possessions : and how the 6'3 millions of tons which
cleared from the Possessions figured as only 4'1 on their ai'rival
in the United Kingdom. Of course they were not the same ships —
but the difference is too great to be accounted for by the fluctua-
tions in the annual trade.
4. After deducting the double entry of trade between the
United Kingdom and the British Possessions, the aggregate of
tonnage employed in the trade of the British Empire in 1885
stood thus : —
Tons, OOO's omitted.
Trade of the United Kingdom with British Possessions 12,250,*
„ ,, Foreign Countries 54,021,
,, British Possessions with other British Possessions 22,283,
„ „ Foreign Countries 26,984,
Total 115,538,
4. The trade with China, Japan, and the rest of Asia is slightly
greater than that with the United Kingdom, being 22"8 and 22"4
respectively ; and is greater than that with all other countries
* Taking the mean of the figures in the statement at p. 111.
Trade of the British Empire, 18r2-86.
115
put together, being 22"8 and 197 respectively; the trade with
China and Japan is only inferior to that with Australasia; the
trade with India and the United States is nearly equal, being 9'3
and 9"1 respectively; but the most striking feature is that the
direct trade with all foi'eign European countries and Egypt is less
than 5 per cent.
§ 4. Tonnage in Trade of Groups of Possessions.
Notes on Table XXVIII.
This table has been prepared for the purpose of showing the
proportions ,in which British and Foreign tonnage is ennployed in
the trade of the British Possessions, and in the several groups into
which they have been divided. The sa.me obstacle exists as in the
case of the last table, to combining the returns for the United
Kingdom in the same form, and so exhibiting the aggregate of the
British Empire.
Table XXVIII. — Percentage Proportion of British and Fondgn
Tonnage employed in the Trade, Inwards and Outwards, of the
British Possessions in different parts of the World, exclusive of
the United Kingdom, distinguishing the Trade with the United
Kingdom, other British Possessions, and Foreign Countries, in the
Year 1885.
(Compiled from same returns as Table XXVIII.)
Inwaeds.
United
Kingdom.
British
Colonies.
Foreign
Countries.
Total.
British.
Foreign
British.
Foreign.
British.
Foreign.
British.
Foreign.
British Asia
92-7
99-2
88-4
85-2
95-8
640
7-3
0-8
11-6
14-8
4-2
360
83-0
96-3
94-1
9.5-8
930
83-4
17-0
3-7
5-9
4-2
70
16-6
51-2
291
78-1
43-5
57-7
29-6
48-8
70-9
21-9
56-5
42-3
70-4
68-0
90-7
85-4
62-9
8')-0
62-4
32-0
Australasia
Eritish Africa
„ N. America..
,, West Indies.
,, S. America....
9-3
14-6
371
200
37-6
Total
91-9 81
9u-9
9-1
50-5
49-5
74-7
25-3
OUTW
AEDS.
Biitish Asia
911
95-9
97-8
78-3
911
86-9
8-9
4-1
2-2
21-7
8-9
131
84-4
94-9
92-8
81-2
95-8
710
15-6
51
7-2
18-8
4-2
29
53-9
57-2
70-9
•15-3
61-7
34-9
46-1
42-8
291
.'1-7
651
67-7
90-7
84-1
531
7'.<-5
611
32-3
9-3
British Africa
15-9
„ N. America..
,, West Indies..
„ S. America....
46-9
20-5
38-9
Total
88-7
113
82-3
17-7
54-2
4;-rS
74-.1
25(1
12
lit; Trade of fJie British Empire, 1872-86.
The tabic divides the British Possessions into six groups,
viz.: —
Britisli Asia.
Australasia.
British Africa.
,, North America.
,, West Indies.
,, South America.
And it shows the percentage proportion of British and Foreign
tonnage respectively which entered and cleared in, each group
during the year 1885, in trade with the United Kingdom, other
British Colonies, and Foi'eign Countries respectively. The principal
results are : —
1. In the home (United Kingdom) and inter-colonial trades
inwards, the proportion of foreign tonnage employed does not
amount to 10 per cent. In the outward trade with the United
Kingdom it is considerably higher than in the inwards trade, being
8'1 and 11'3 respectively. In the inter-colonial trade the propor-
tion of foreign in the outwards trade is nearly double that in the
inwards. These facts may be easily explained. In exporting
merchandise from the United Kingdom to the Possessions, British
bottoms obtain the preference, and can always be engaged ; while
in the Possessions British bottoms may not always be available,
and foreign bottoms vrill be eager to obtain cai'goes.
2. There is a considerable difference in the proportion of
foreign tonnage employed in the different groups in the above
trades. In the Australasian groups it is less than 1 per cent, in
the inwards trade from the United Kingdom. In the large home
trade of British North America it rises to 14"8 and 21'7 inwards
and outwards respectively, and in the smaller trade of British
South America (chiefly Bi-itish Guiana) it mounts to 36"0 of
inward tonnage.
3. The very low proportion in the Australasian trade tends to
lower materially the average of the aggregate.
4. As regards the trade with Foreign Countries British shipping
appropriates a full moiety and considerably more in the outward
ti'ade. In the direct trade with Foreign European Countries and
Egypt, the proportion inwards is 27"5, and outwards 49'1 per cent.,
indicating the preference given by each country to its own flag,
when available.
5. The contrast between the employment of foreign shipping
in the trade with the United Kingdom and British Possessions,
and of British shipping in the trade with Foreign Countries, is very
btnkiuu' ; —
Trade of tie British Einpire, 1872-86.
117
stripping : British Possessions.
Trade — inwards and outwards, witli United "1
Kin'.'doni J
,, inwards and outwards, with British!
Possessions . J
,, inwards, with all Foreign Countries ..
,, outwai'ds ,,
,, inwards, with foreign Europe, and "1
Kgjpt J
,, outwards, with foreign Europe, and "I
Egypt /
Per cent.
91-3
90-9
50-5
54-2
27-4
491
Per cent.
97
91
49-5
45-8
72-6
50-9
6. The returns do not sliow the nationality of the foreign
vessels, only the countries in the trade with which they are
employed. But it may be assumed that to a great extent the trade
of each country is carried on under its own flag, if not in British
vessels. In such a case as that of Australasia, where the whole of
the inward trade with France, and most of the trade with French
Possessions, is carried on in foreign bottoms, it may safely be
assumed that the vessels were Fi^ench. The same remark applies
to the trade of Australasia with Germany.
7. The proportion of foreign vessels in the total trade, inwards
and outwards, was about the same, and slightly exceeded one-fourth,
viz. : —
Inwards 26"1 per cer.t.
Outwards 25'6 „
This approximates in a remarkable manner to the proportion
in the trade of the United Kingdom in the same year, where the
proportions were —
Inwards 279 per cent.
Outwards 27"7 ,,
The proportions for the whole of the Empire were —
Inwards 26'7 per cent.
Outwards ; The same.
§ 5. Sliippinc) belonging to the Britinh Empire.
The annual statements of the Navigation and Shipping of
the United Kingdom contain several returns relating to Bi-itish
Possessions, among these are returns of the shipping belonging to
each Possession, and of the shipping built in each. From the last
statement for tlie year 1887, published during the present year,
liavc been abstracted three tables, showing: —
118 Tiade of ihc Britiih Empire, 1872-86.
1. Table XXIX. — The nnmlier and tminage of vessels, snilinof
iiiul steam, classed according to tlieir tonnage, which belonged to
all the British Possessions, the United Kingdom, and the British
Empire respectively.
2. Table XXX. — The number and tonnage of vessels, sailing
and steam, belonging to each Possession, with the average size of
such vessels, at the close of the; year 1887.
3. Table XXXF. — The number and tonnage of vessels, sailing
and steam, and distinguishing those made of iron, which were
built in each Possession in the year 1887.
The most noteworthy facts to be derived from an examination
of these tables are: —
1. Of the total number of vessels belonging to the Empire,
viz., 3'5,752, 60 per cent, belonged to the United Kingdom and
40 per cent, to the British Possessions.
2. Of the total tonnage of vessels belonging to the Empire,
viz., 9,135,512, 80 per cent, belonged to the United Kingdom, and
20 (]9'7) per cent, to the Possessions, the diiference in the pro-
portions compared with those of the number of vessels arising
from the diiference in their size.
3. Of the sailing vessels belonging to the Empire, 27,599, with
a tonnage of 4,72 ),509, the proportions belonging to the United
Kingdom and Possessions respectively were of ships 56 and 44,
and of tonnage 69 and 31 per cent.
4. Of the steam vessels belonging to the EmpLre, numbering
9,158, with a tonnage of 4,410, OUO, the proportions belonging to
the United Kingdom and Possessions respectively were of vessels
73 and 27, and of tonnage 92'7 and 7"3 per cent.
5. The average size of sailing vessels was 210 tons in the
United Kingdom, and 121 tons in the Possessions, and the average
size of steam vessels was 613 tons in the former, and 130 in the
latter. There were 60 sailing vessels and 9 steamers in the
Possessions exceeding 1,5U0 tons, and in th^' United Kingdom the
corresponding numbers were 432 and 660.
6. The character of the shipping belonging to each Posses-
sion, which to a great extent may be taken as indicative of the
character of its trade, is shown in the following arrangement of
the Possessions in the order of the average size of the sailing
vessels belonging to them in 1887 : —
Trade of the BntLJi Empire, 1872-86.
119
Average size {Tornuuje^ of Vtssels helonrjinr/ to each Posses-'^uni .
Sailing Vessels.
Steamers.
1. India
363
326
183
181
239
2. Hong Kong
'S. Victoria
525
254
4. Gibraltar
208
5. Canada
170
99
6. Bermuda
159
—
7. New Zealand
140
235
8. New South Wales
118
108
9. South Australia
117
115
123
10. Falkland Islands
99
35
12. Mauritius
90
31
13. Malta
89
105
14. Queensland
15. Straits Settlements
85
82
60
214
16. Fiji
71
68
60
19
172
18. Western Australia
92
19. Ceylon
20. West Indies, not distinguished....
68
56
255*
41
21. Jamaica
52
43
758*
22. Bahamas
247
23. Newfoundland
42
11^5
21-. British Guiana
41
94
25. Trinidad ..
32
65
26. Honduras
23
19
10
82
27. West Africa
41
28. HeUgoland
* One only.
The principal features of this statement are : —
1°. With few exceptious the ships belonging to the several
Possessions are of a size suitable for coasting and short voyages,
rather than for a trans-oceanic trade to distant countries. Many
of the Possessions therefore are wholly or mainly dependent upon
English or foreign vessels for this biunch of their commerce.
2°. The average size of ships belonging* to India is twice as
great, and that of Hong Kong is nearly twice as great as that of
ships belonging to any other British Possession, while the size of
steamers belonging to Hong Kong is double that of steamers
belonging to India.
3". The other Colonies divide themselves into classes : —
a. Victoria, New Zealand, Canada, Gibraltar, and Bermuda
average from 183 to 14U tons. The high position of the latter
two is noteworthy.
b. New South Wales, South Australia, Falkland Islands, and
Cape of Good Hope, with Natal, from 118 to 99.
c. Among the rest, including several important colonies, e.g.,
Queensland and Tasmania, Ceylon and Mauritius, British Guiuna
and Trinidad, the average size dwindles from 90 to 10 tons.
120
Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
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Trade of the British Empire, 1872-86.
121
Table XXX. — Numher and Tonnage of Vessels, Sailing and Steam,
with their Average size, which tvere Registered in each of the
British Possessions on the ^\st December, 1887.
(Compiled from same as Table XXIX.)
Possessions.
Sailing.
Steam.
Average Size.
Number
Tons.
Number
Tons.
Sailing
Steam.
India
101
305
25
20S
77
643
108
260
230
106
170
38S
14
29
jl33
5,755
2,026
23
lt.6
557
66
85
337
133
7
27
100
47
36,692
25,219
8.152
14.238
6,936
75,974
9,225
47.610
27,084
6,436
11,537
54,451
1,004
2,873
2,543
982,196
86,017
3,673
3,937
23,886
3,439
2,696
19,091
5,566
805
4,893
8,938
461
71
80
37
1
3
485
82
115
96
8
33
168
1
17
6
1,194
26
3
17
1
1
6
9
11
19
17,012
17,124
19,466
255
92
52,660
4,920
29,223
11,810
737
5,378
39,516
19
605
244
108,814
5,079
246
4,210
758
65
247
849
2,296
2,005
363
82
326
68
90
118
85
183
117
60
68
140
71
99
19
170
42
159
23
43
52
32
56
41
115
181
89
10
121
239
214
Hon" Konc
525
Ceylon
255
31
Australasia —
.New South Wales
108
Queensland
Victoria
60
254
South Australia
123
W^estern Australia
92
172
235
Fill
19
Cape of Good Hope and Natal ....
West Africa (Bathurst, Freetown,
and Lagos)
35
41
99
195
Bermuda
82
British West Indies —
Bahamas
247
758
Trinidad
65
Other Islands
41
British Gruiana
94
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Malta
208
105
Heligoland
Total
—
—
130
Averag
e of Un]
ted Kii
igdom....
210
613
* fncludini' ve.^isels registered for iidand navigation onlv.
Lloyd's Universal Register of British and Foreign Shipping
furnishes the means of comparing the sliipping belonging to the
British Empire with that belonging to the rest of the world in tlie
month of April of the present year. The figures do not agree
with the above, because all vessels nnder 100 tons are excluded.
The chief results are as follows : —
1. Of the total number of ships, sailing and steam, 3.S,200, and
of the total net tonnage of the snme 20"7 millions of tons, 37 and
51 per- cent, respectively are British.
122
Trade of the British Empire, 18"/ 2-86.
2. Tlie correspond inp;- proportions of British sailing vessels are
28 and 37"5 per cent., and of steam vessels 58 and '61 per cent.
3. The countries which approach nearest to the British Empire
are, for sailing vessels, the United States, which show a percentage
of vessels of 14 per cent., and. of tonnage 14"6 per cent ; for
steam vessels, Germany, which shows a percentage of number of
steamers amounting to 6 per cent., and of France, a percentage
of tonnage of stearaer.s amounting to 6"8 per cent,
4. The average size of British steamers is 838 tons net, of
Bi'itish colonial 334, and of foreign 648 tons. The average size
of sailing vessels is of British 646, of British colonial 433, and of
foreign 364 tons.
5. There is a somewhat greater difference in the relation of net
to gross tonnage in foreign than in British steanitrs, viz., 67 per
cent, in the former, and 63 per cent, in the latter.
Vessels Built in each Possession.
7. The total number of vessels built and registered in the
Possessions in 1887 was 421, of 31,227 tons. The number built in
the United Kingdom in the same year was 580 of 306,719 tons.
The proportion built in the Possessions was 42 per cent, of the
total number, but only 9"2 per cent, of the total tonnage.
8. Of the total tonnage built in the Possessions in 1887, 7Q> per
cent, was built in Canada, 15 per cent, in Austra,lia, and 5 per cent,
in India, leaving only 4 per cent, distributed over the remaining
Possessions.
Table XXXI. — Number and Tonnage of Vessels, Sailing and Steam,
Wood a)id h"on, Built and JRegistered in each British Possession,
m the Year 1887.
(Campiled from same as Table XXIX.)
SailiiiR.
Sieam.
Total.
Nunilior.
Ton.s.
Niinitier.
Tons.
Number.
Tons.
20
2
30
7
2
199
35
4
1
2
1,592
36
1,358
1,974
58
21,148
664
37
18
48
1
2
1
23
4
83
2
.1}
20
741 1
656 J
2,391 1
283 J
23
1
2
65*
2
285
35
4
1
2
,, iron
1,637
Hoiifi Kong
IMiUtritiiis
Au>lralia and .New 1
Zealand J
Ditto iron
Soiitli Africa
20
36
4,748*
58
Erit ish K orth Aniej ica
,, iron
British West Indies
„ Honduras ...
„ Guitina
Malta
23,831
6P4
37
18
48
Total
303
26.963 f 118*
4,164*
421*
31,127*
Including composite vessels.
1J3
Cap. 3. Summary of Trade of each British Possession.
It remains to furnish an epitome of the trade — Imports,
Exports, and Shipping — of each British Possession. This must
necessarily be brief, and in order to make it as concise and as
complete as possible, the same information, arranged in the same
order, will be given in a form which will render it more suitable
for reference than for perusal, but which will give the essence of
several of the tables in this and. the first part of the work in a
shape the most illustrative of the commercial position of each
Colony, and the most useful to the general inquirer.
The several tables from which the following descriptions are
compiled are Nos. Vltl and VIIIa, XI, XII, and XIII of Parts I
and II, and Nos. XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXX, and XXXI
of Parts III and IV, with the Statistical Abstracts of the United
Kingdom.
As the several Possessions are arranged in the following pages
in their geographical order, it may be well to help the reader to
form an idea of their relative importance and contribution to the
trade of the Empire by presenting them in a table showing the
order of that importance. Hong Kong, Malta, Gibraltar, and
Heligoland are necessarily omitted for reasons explained in the
first Part.
This and the following table will supply a new, and probably
unexpected, view of the proportions in which the several portions
of the Empire contribute to the trade of the whole Empire, and to
that of the United Kingdom.
1. As regards the Empire, the United Kingdom and India
contribute more than three-fourths, 77'4! per cent.. New South
Wales, Canada, the Straits Settlements, and Victoria each from
3'8 to 32 percent.; New Zealand, Queensland, Cape of Good Hope,
and South Australia each from I"3 to 1"0 per cent. : the next eleven
colonies each from 0'7 to O'l per cent., and the remaining twenty
colonies taken togethtr a trifie over 0'5 per cent.
2. As regards the trade of the United Kingdom nearly three-
fourths, 73" 6, are carried on with foreign countries — 9*8 per cent,
with India, and the remaining 1G"6 per cent, with all the other
colonies, to which last figure Australasia contributes S'O per cent.,
and Canada 29 per cent.
These figui'es suggest many weighty considerations. The large
export of coal constitutes only I per cent, of the proportion con-
tributed by the United Kingdom to the value of Imports and.
Exports of the Empire.
12-1-
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
Table XXXII. — Shoivincf the Order in ichich the several Parts of the British
Empire contributed to the Total Declared Value of Imports and Exports,
and the Percentage Proportion of the Trade of each, in the Year 1885.
(Compiled from Table VIIIa in Part II.)
[OOO's omilteil.]
Divisions of British Empire.
Total Value
of Imports
and Exports.
Per-
centage
Pro-
portion.
61-4*
160
3-8
3-8
3-4
3-2
1-3
1-1
11
10
0-7
0-5
0-4
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-2
0-2
0-2
01
01
Divisions of British Empire.
Total
Value of
Imports
and
Exports.
Per-
centage
Pro-
portion.
Total of British Empire
£
1,046,342,
22. Gold Coast
963,
651,
634,
499,
415,
352,
322,
317,
303,
231,
217,
215,
166,
146,
103,
74,
69,
59,
37,
35,
1. United Kingdom ....
642,372,
167,160,
40,007,
39,991,
35,559,
33,596,
14,300,
11,666,
11,216,
10,706,
7,586,
5,748,
4,488,
3,268,
3,071,
2,896,
2,396,
2,380,
1,894,
1,157,
1,097,
"1
3 New South Wales ...
23. Sierra Leone
24. Fiji
25. Honduras
26. Bahamas
^0-4
27. St. Kitts and Nevis
28. Bermuda
9. Cape of Good Hope
29. Grenada
30. Antigua
J
11 Ceylon
31. St. Vincent
32. Gambia
33. St. Lucia
11. Britisli Guiana
34. Labuan
35. Falkland Islands ...
36. Dominica
;» 01
1
J
Y 0-02
17. Natal
37. St. Helena
38. Tobago
39. Turks Islands
40. Montserrat
20 Lagos
1
21. Western Australia....
41. Virgin Islands
J
38-08t
0-52
100-0
* Of which with British Possessions ^^^IIqi-.^^ if transbipmeuts were added, this
Foreign Countries 45'2 J ^
proportion would be increased to 62'6 per cent.
t Of which with United Kingdom and British Possessions 18'
Foreign Countries 19''
■71
i-4/
38-1
A similai" table showing the proportion borne by each Pcsses-
sion in the trade of the United Kingdom cannot be given, as the
Statistical Abstracts do not furnish the information in the same
detail, but the following table will supply it for the several groups
as arranged in those abstracts, for the sauie year.
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
125
Table XXXIII. — Shoioing the Order in which the several Groups of
the Possessions of the British Umpire contributed to the Total
Declared Value of the Imports and Exports of the United
Kingdom, and the Percentage Proportion of the Trade of each,
in the Year 1885.
(Compiled from " Statistical Abstract.")
[000s omitted.]
Countries.
Total Value of
Imports and Exports.
Percentage
Proportion.
Total of United Kingdom
£
642,371
100-
■witli Foreign Countries
472,545
73-6
With British Possessions —
62,761,
51,429,
18,722,
8.638,
6,967,
6,608,
5,012,
2,955,
1,518,
1,257,
1,242,
731,
601,
338,
390,
643,
9-8
80
2-9
4. Cape of Good Hope and Xatal ...
1-3
11
6. West Indies and British Guiana ..
10
0-8
8. Ceylon
0-5
0-2
10 Malta
0-2
11. Gold Coast
0-2
12. Gibraltar
01
01
005
15. West African Settlements
16. Other
005
0-1
Total
169,826
26-4
India. — The trade of British India is so important as to call
for a detailed notice. For purposes of reference it may best be
shown in a semi-tabnlar form, which might be applied to each
Possession if time and space permitted : —
British India.
Percentage proportion of the Trade of the British Empire in 1885 —
Total Imports 13 3 per cent.
„ Exports 18'8 „
Percentage proportion of the Trade of the United Kingdom in
1885—
Imports into United Kiiigdoni 8'6 per cent.
Exports from United Kingdom 11'3 ,,
Percentage proportion of the Trade of British India vvitii the
United Kingdom in 1885 —
Imports 70-5 per ceut.
Exports 39 „
126
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
British India — Contd.
With Bi-ifcish Possessions —
Imports 1]'4 per cent.
Exports 21'0 „
With Foreign Countries —
Imports 18'1 ,,
Exports 40'0 ,,
Excess of Exports over Imports in 1885 —
Amount £12,910,000
Per cent 169 per cent.
The distribution of the trade in the same year was as follows :-
[nno's omiitfci.]
British Possessions.
Hong Kong
Straits Settlements
llauritius
Australasia
Ceylon
All other
Total
Imports
Exports.
£
3,739,
£
9,566,
1,697,
3,701,
1,106,
956,
980,
590,
792,
2,176,
278,
1,727,
8,652,
18,710,
Foreign Countries.
Frontier Trade...
C'liina
United States ...
Italy
Persia and Grulf
Arabia
France
Austria
Tin-key in Asia...
Egypt
Zanzibar
Germany
Holland*.
Belgium
8. America
All other
Total
Imports. Exports-
£
,991,
,982,
,437,
890,
832,
699,
656,
653,
342,
296,
381,
120,
12,
267,
1,
219,
13,778,
£
4,046,
3,115,
3,047,
3,658,
1,411,
976,
6,751,
2,015,
425,
3,386,
417,
408,
539,
3,730,
439,
1,243,
35,606,
With regard to the propcress of trade in India it has been, as
already stated, continuous and very steady througliout the fifteen
years 1872-86, with an expansion in 1881-83, but the Imports have
increased in a much higher ratio than the Exports : —
Total Value. [OOO's omitted.]
Percent aije DitTcrtnce at each
Period.
Imports.
Exports.
Imports.
Exports.
1872-74
£
39,903,
Ml 1872-74 am
59,381,
1884-86
14-8
13-9
20-2
11-0
'75-77
'78-80
2-9
9 9
'81-83
20-8
'84-86 .-
6-5
Increase betwct
74-5
45-6
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86. 127
The proportions of the trade with the United Kingdom have
been very similar as regards Imports, the incre?.se in the same
period having been 72'5 per cent. ; but the increase as regards
Exports vpas very different, being only 20 per cent.
With regard to shipping, its character has already been
described, bnt may here be recapitulated. The value per ton of
the cargoes in 1886 was very high, £21"4 per ton, double that of
the United Kingdom. The proportion of foreign tonnage on the
average of 1884-86 was low, 17 per cent.; and that of steam to
sailing vessels was also low, 65 per cent.
The increase between 1877-79 and 1884-86, as shown in
Table XXVI, was 26 per cent., the British showing a slight
preponderance, 26'8 to 25'4 per cent, of foreign.
The proportion of foreign at the two periods was almost
identical, viz.,, 17-6 in 1K77-79 and 17-5 in 1884-86.
A table. No. XXXIV, bas been prepared to sbow the shipping
trade of India in the same form as that of the United Kingdom
detailed in Table XVII. The results differ from the above owing
to this latter table relating only to tonnage inwards, whereas in
the former the inward and outward tonnage are thrown together.
This table exhibits the following resnlts —
1. There was a greater or less increase in British tonnage
entering inwards in each period, and in each of the last three years
1884-86, except 1885.
2. Although there was a large increase of foreign tonnage in
188.3-86, that increase was at the expense of British Indian and
native craft, not of Bi-itish, and there has been a decrease in the !
proportion of foreign in each of the last two years, while that of
British tonnage has been on the increase.
3. The decrease both in the amount and proportion of Bi-itish
Indian tonnage has been continuous and large. The difference
between 1886 and the average of 1877-79 has been 39 per cent, in
amount, and 54 per cent, in proportion.
4. In like manner the decrease in the trade carried on in native
craft has been between the same periods 32 per cent, in amount,
and 71 per cent, in proportion.
5. Between the same periods British tonnage has increased by
840,000 tons, or in proportion to the whole trade from 75"2 to 79"5
per cent. ; Foreign tonnage has increased 188,000 tons, or in pro-
portion to the whole trade from 128 to 14 8 per cent.
128
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
Table XXXIV. — Total Tonnage of Vessels (Sailing and Steamers),
distinguishing British from Foreign, ivhich entered into Ports of
British India with Cargoes and in Ballast, together with the
Percentage Proportion of each Class, and the rate of Increase or
Decrease in each Class, in each Triennial Period, from 1877 to
1886, and in each of the last three Years 1884 to 1886.
[OOO's omitted.]
Periods.
1877-79
'80-82
'84-86* ...
Years
1884
'85
'86
1877-79
'80-82
'83-86* ....
Years.
1884
'85
'86
1878-79
'80-82
'83-86* ....
Years.
1884
'85
'86
Total Tonnage Entered with Caegoes and
IN Ballast, Annual Ateeages.
British.
British
Indian.
Native
Craft.
Foreign.
Total.
2,055,
221,
107,
349,
2,732,
2,679,
203,
91,
472,
3,446,
2,761,
152,
75,
532,
3,520,
2,806,
176,
83,
565,
3,632,
2,581,
146,
68,
494,
3,291,
2,895,
135,
72,
537,
3,640,
Percentage Phopoetion of each Class.
75-2
8-1
6-9
12-8
100
77-7
5-9
2-7
13-7
)>
78-6
4-3
2-1
15-0
77-2
4-9
2-8
15-6
78-4
4-5
21
150
79-5
3-7
2
14-8
).
Peecentage Increase oe Decrease in each Period.
+ 30-4
+ 3-4
+ 1-6
- 8-0
+ 121
- 8 1
- 25 1
+ 15-8
- 17
- 7-5
- 14-9
- 17-6
+ 10-7
- 18 1
+ 5-8
+ 35-2
+ 12-7
+ 6-2
- 12-6
+ 8-6
+ 26-1
+ 2 1
+ 3-1
- 9-4
+ 10-6
* Average ot four years.
The shipping registered as belongiug to India on 31st December,
1887, was—
Xuiiibcr.
Tonnage.
Average Size.
Sailing
101
71
36,692
17,012
Tons.
363
Steam
239
Total
172
53,704
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86. 129
Of the total tonnage 43 per cent, belonged to the Bombay Presi-
dency, 273 per cent, to Bengal, and 29" 7 to Madras and the rest of
India. Two-thirds of the steamer tonnage belonged to Bombay.
The amount of shipping built in India in 1887 was insignificant :
It consisted of 23 vessels, with a tonnage of 1,637, including three
small steamers of 45 tons.
The Straits Settlements furnished in 1885 3'3 per cent, of the
Imports and 2'1 per cent, of the Exports of the Empire,
but only 1"3 and 0'8 respectively of those of the United
Kingdom. More than half their trade, 56 per cent., was
with Foreign Countries, one-fifth (20 per cent.) with the
United Kingdom. Their Imports were 9 per cent, in excess
of their Exports. The former were chiefly from Java and
Dutch Posses.sions in Asia, United Kingdom, British
India, Malay Peninsula, Hong Kong, and Siam ; and the
latter to the same places, but in diiferent proportions.
The average value of a ton of cargo was high, £5*4 ; also
the proportion of foreign shipping, 35 per cent., and of
steam tonnage very high, 94 per cent. From this latter
fact it must be inferred that either little or no trade was
carried on in native craft, or that it was not taken into
account. The increase of both Imports and Exports had
been continuoiis throughout the fifteen years. The increase
of shipping has been correspondingly great in the last ten
years ; the percentage was double that of India. The
British has increased 54, and the foreign 79 per cent.
The shipping belonging to the Straits Settlements on
31st December, 1887, consisted of 385 ves.sels, with a
tonnage of 42,343, Of these 80 were steam vessels, with
a tonnage of 17,124, averaging 214 tons. Of the total
tonnage 67"5 per cent, belonged to Singapore, and 32'5 to
Penang.
In the case of the following Possessions, the trade of
which is less than 1 per cent, of that of the Empire or of
the United Kingdom, the above two general comparisons
will not be noted ; and to avoid repetition it must be
understood that when the trade of a single year is spoken
of, the year 1885 is referred to.
Ceylon. — The Import trade was almost entirely with the United
Kingdom and with other British Possessions, 25 and 73
percent, respectively ; with Foreign Countries it was only
2 per cent. The Export trade was differently distributed,
58 per cent, to the United Kingdom, 23 per cent, to British
Possessions, and 18 per cent, to Foreign Countries. The
K
130 Trade of tJie British Possessions, 1872-86.
Imports exceeded the Exports by 26 per cent. Ceylon
drew nearly tln-ee-fourtlis of its Imports from India, and
nearly one-fonrtli from the United Kingdom, only 3*5 per
cent, from other countries. But it shipped only one-
foui'th to India, three-fifths to the United Kingdom, and
IB per cent, to other countries, chiefly the United States,
France, Austria, and New South Wales. The Imports
and Exports have both fallen ofi in each of the last three
triads, but less in the last. Comparing the last with the
first triad, the decrease in Imports has been 20 per cent.,
and in Exports 28 per cent. The chai-acter of its shipping
has been already described.* The increase of tonnage
has been large, 43 per cent. ; of British 39, and of
Foreign Q6 per cent. The shipping belonging to Ceylon
On 31st December, 1887, consisted of 208 sailing vessels,
of 14,238 tons, and one steamer of 255 tons.
Mauritius imported one-fifth from the United Kingdom, a half
from British Possessions, and more than a quarter from
Foreign Countries. It exported nearly three-fourths to
British Possessions, and 14 per cent, both to the United
Kingdom and Foreign Countries. Its Exports exceeded
its Imports by 52 per cent. Of its Import trade 37 per
cent, was with India, 20 with the United Kingdom,
the rest chiefly with France, New South Wales, and
Madagascar. Of its Export trade 42 per cent, was with
India, 14 per cent, with the United Kingdom, 23 per
cent, with New South Wales, and the rest chiefly with
the United States, Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, and
France. The imports fell off in each triad except 1881-83.
The Exports showed a small increase in each, except the
last. The Imports decreased less than 1 per cent, in the
fifteen years; the Exports increased 11 per cent. The
average value of the cargoes was among the highest, £8'5
per ton. The proportion of foreign shipping was very
high, 45 per cent. Sailing and steam vessels were equally
divided. The increase of tonnage during the last ten
years has been very small for British vessels, only 9 per
cent., and for foreign 48 per cent. The shipping belonging
to Mauritius on 31st December, 1887, consisted of 77
sailing vessels, with a tonnage of 6,936, and 3 steamers
of 92 tons. Two sailing vessels of 36 tons were built
there in the year 1887.
Australia. The Statistical Abstracts of the United Kingdom
do not exhibit the trade of the several Australian colonies
* P. 108.
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
131
separately. They as well as New Zealand and Fiji are
included under the head of Ansti-alia. According to this
arrangement the trade with Australia furnished in 1885
6*3 per cent, of the Imports, and 10'3 per cent, of the
Exports of the United Kingdom.
Netv South Wales furnished 41 per cent, of the Imports, and
3'5 of the Exports of the Empire. Of the Imports more
than a half, 51 5 per cent., were drawn from the United
Kingdom, nearly four-tenths, 38 per cent., from British
Possessions, and only a tenth, 10 per cent., from Foreign
Countries. Its Exports to the United Kingdom and British
Possessions were 44 per cent, to each, and to Foreign
Countries 12 per cent= Its Imports, £23'4 millions,
exceeded its Exports, £16"5 millions, by 42 per cent.
These figures include its overland trade. The distribution
of the trade in 1885 was : —
[OOO's omitted.]
Imports.
Exports.
In trade with —
United Kingdom
£
11,985,
8,505,
1,008,
551,
969,
447,
£
7 293
Australasia
6 838,
United States
985
India and Asia (chiefly Hong Kong)
Europs
432,
584
Other countries
409
Total
23,465,
16 541
The Import trade from Europe was almost entirely
from Gei'many, France, and Belgium : the Export trade
to Belgium and France.
Of the trade with Australasia, 26 per cent, of the Imports,
and 47 per cent, of the Exports, were carried overland.
The progress of the Import trade of New South Wales
has been continuous, but by most unequal bounds, and
the same of the Export trade, except that there was a
decrease in the last tinad.
Total Value.
Percentage Difference at each Period.
Imports.
Exports.
Imports.
Exports.
1872-74
'75-77
'78-80
'81-83
'84-86
£
9-962
13,923
£
8,759*
13,267
Per cent.
+ 39-7
+ 2-7
-f 390
+ 12-8
Per cent.
not eon)i)arable
-t- 4-4
-f- 26-6
- 4-4
*■ Overland trafTic not infludcd.
K 2
132 Trade of the British Possesdons, 1872-86.
The total increase between tlie first and last triad of
Imports was 125 per cent. ; the Exports are not com-
parable.
The average value of the cargoes was among the
highest, £8'6 per ton, the proportion of foreign tonnage
very small, 11 per cent., and the proportion of steam
tonnage moderate, 70 per cent. The increase of tonnage
daring the last ten years has been large, that of foreign
preponderating, viz., 77 and 108 per cent. The shipping
belonging to New South Wales on 31st December, 1887,
consisted of : —
64.3 sailing vessels, with a tonnage of 75,974, averaging 118 tons.
485 steam „ „ 52,fi60 „ 108 „
Total.. ..1,128 128,634
Of the total tonnage 112,272 tons belonged to Sj'dney,
and 16,362 to Newcastle. The ships bdilt in the several
Australian Colonies are not distinguished in the returns.
The total number of sailing vessels built in Australia and
New Zealand in 1887 was 37, of 3,322 tons, of which 7,
of 1,974 tons, were of iron ; and the number of steamers
was 27, of 1,397 tons, of which 4, of 656 tons, were of iron.
Queensland furnished 1"1 per cent, both of the Imports and
Exports of the Empire. Its trade was almost exclusively
with the United Kingdom, Australasia, Hong Kong, and
the United States. Its total foreign trade was only 3 per
cent, of Imports and 3 per cent, of Exports. Its Impoits
exceeded its Exports by more than a fifth, 22 per cent.
The progress of its Imports and Exports has been con-
tinuous, and by rapid strides, except in 1878-80, when
there was a decrease in both. The increase of Imports
between the first and last triad was 144 per cent. The
Exports are not comparable, as the overland trade was
not included in the first triad.
As regards shipping, the average value of cargf)es was
less than half of the amount in New South Wales, only
£3"4 per ton, affording evidence of a smaller trade with
countries beyond Australia. The proportion of foreign
tonnage is less than 1 per cent. (0"7). The steamer
tonnage is not distinguished in the returns. The tonnage
of British vessels which entei-ed and cleared between
1877-79 and 1884-86 increased more than threefold.
The shipping belonging to Queensland consisted on
31st December, 1887, of 108 sailing ves.sels, of 9,225 tons,
and 82 steamers, of 4,920 tons.
Tntde of the Britif^li Po.-isess{(yns, 1872-86.
1H3
Victoria furnished 31 per cent, of the Imports and 3'3 per cent,
of the Exports of the Empire. Of its Imports nearly one
half, 48 per cent., were drawn from the United Kingdom,
85 per cent, from Briti.sh Possessions, and 17 from
foreign countries. Of its Exports more than half, 52 j)L'r
cent., were shipped to the United Kingdom, 42 per cent,
to British Possessions, and 6 to foreign countries. There
is this difference between Victoria and New South Wales
with regard to their trade with foreign counti-ies, Victoria
imported 60 per cent, more from such countries than New
South Wales, but exported exactly one half less to them.
The Imports of Victoria exceeded its Exports by 16 per cent.
The progress of both the Import and Export trade of
Victoria shows to a disadvantage compared wiih that of
New South Wales. A short table will best exhibit the
contrast.
Prrce)ifa'je Differevre at pacli Period.
Imports.
Exports.
New South Wales.
Victoria.
New South Wales.
Victoria.
1872-74
"lo-ll
'78-SO
'81-83
'84-86
-f 39-7
+ 2-7
+ 39-0
-t- 12-8
+ 3-3
- 61
-r 16-3
+ 4-8
+ 4-4
-1- 26-6
- 4-4
- 11
- 1-7
+ 12-7
- Ill
In Victoria the difference between tiie tirst and last
triad was for Imports an increase of 18 per cent., and for
Exports a decrease of 3 per cent. The corresponding
increase in New South Wales for Imports was 12*5 per
cent. The increase in Exports for the same period cannot
be stated, but between 1875-77 and 1884-86 it was 26 per
cent. It would be interesting, but out of place, to
speculate upon tlie causes of these great differences.
The distribution of the trade in 1885 was as follows : —
[OOO's oinittfd.;
Imports.
Exports.
In trade with —
£
8,946,
5,679,
747,
1,045,
602,
773,
252,
£
8,159,
5,655,
United States
159,
India and A.sia (cliiefly Mauritius 1
and Hong Koug) /
C'liina
821,
nil
Kurope
683,
74.
Total
18,014,
15,551,
lo-i Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
The European trade was chiefly with Norway and
Sweden, Germany and France, for Imports — and with
France and Belginm for Exports.
The average vakie of the cargoes was among the highest,
£8"1 per ton; the pi'oportion of foreign tonnage was small,
13 per cent, and that of steam tonnage moderately large,
78. The increase of British tonnage between 1877-79
and 1884-86 was 68 per cent., but that of foreign tonnage
was threefold, 192. Its proportion to British tonnage had
increased from 7"5 to 12'6 per cent.
The shipping belonging to Victoria on 31st December,
1887, consisted of —
260 sailing vessels, of 47,610 tons, averaging 183 tons.
115 steam „ 29,223 „ „ 254 „
Total 375 76,833
Of these all but 2,089 tons were registered at Mel-
bourne.
South Australia contributes 0'9 per cent, to the Imports, and
I'l per cent, to the Exports of the Empire. Its Import
and Export trade is carried on chiefly with the United
Kingdom, 53 and 61 per cent, respectively, and with
other parts of Australia ; with Foreign Countries only
8 and 2 per cent., which is equally divided as regards
Imports between the United States and Europe. The
Exports exceeded the Imports by 2"4 per cent.
The progress of the Imports was continuous and large
in the first three triads, but there was a considerable
decrease in the last. The Exports showed a decrease
only in 1881-83. The increase between the first and last
triad was very near 50 per cent, for Imports and 30 per
cent, for Exports.
As regards shipping the value of the cargoes was half-
way between Queensland and New South Wales, viz., £5"9;
the proj)ortion of foreign tonnage was larger than in any
other of the Australian Colonies, 166 per cent. The
steamer tonnage was not distinguished. British tonnage
had increased 90 per cent, between 1877-79 and 1884-86,
hut foi'eign tonnage had increased nearly foux-fold in
the same period. The shipping belonging to South
Australia on 31st December, 1887, consisted of 230 sailing
vessels, of 27,084 tons, and 96 steam vessels, of 11,810
tons, registered at Adelaide and Darwin.
Western Australia had little trade except with the United
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86. 135
Kingdom, South Australia, and Victoria ; 87 per cent, of
its Imports and 80 per cent, of its Exports were confined
to tliose countries. Its trade with Foreign Countries
was only 1 per cent, for Imports and 5 per cent, for
Exports.
The Imports exceeded the Expoi-ts by 30 per cent.
The progress of Imports had been large and increasing,
except in 1878-80. That of Exports has been continuous,
but in diminishing proportions, until the last triad, when
there was a small decrease. The increase between the
first and last triad has been 117 per cent, for Imports,
and 64 for Exports.
The value of the cargoes was lower than in Queensland,
only £2"8 per ton, being apparently the consequence of
its large trade with the neighbouring Colonies, and the
influence of a high proportion of the steamer tonnage,
80 per cent., upon the small amount of trade. The foreign
tonnage was only 3 per cent. British tonnage increased
threefold between 1877-79 and 1884-86; foreign tonnage
increased only 78 per cent. The shipping belonging to
Western Australia on 31st December, 1887, consisted of
] 06 sailing vessels, of 6,436 tons, and 8 steam vessels, of
737 tons.
Tasmania received 37 per cent, of its Imports from the United
Kingdom, and 61 per cent, from British Possessions, of
which two-thirds were from Victoria, and the rest chiefly
from New South Wales, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
Of its Exports 86 per cent, were shipped to Australasia,
almost the whole to New South Wales and Victoria.
Only 14 per cent, was sent to the United Kingdom. The
Imports exceeded the Exports by 33 per cent.
The progress of the Imports has been continuous but
unequal, having been very large, 25 per cent., in 1881-83,
and only 5 per cent, in the last triad. In the whole
period the increase has been 63 per cent. Exports
increased largely up to the last triad, when they fell oS
heavily. Their increase during the whole period was
50 per cent.
The value of the cargoes was half-way between Queens-
land and South Australia, viz., £45. The proportion of
foreign tonnage was only 1 per cent. Steamer tonnage
was high, 86 per cent. British tonnage had nearly
doubled between 1877-79 and 1884-86. The shipping
belonging to Tasmania on 31st Decembci-, 1887, consisted
of 170 sailing vessels, of 11,537 touK, and 33 steamers,
186
Trade of the British Pusseitsions, 1872-86.
of 5,378 tons. Of the total tonnage, 13,442 was
registered at Hobart, the remainder at Launceston.
New Zealand contributed 1"3 per cent, to the Imports, and
1'4 per cent, to the Exports of the vvliole Empire. Its
trade was chiefly with the United Kingdom, 70 per cent,
of Imports, and 72 of Exports. Of the remainder about
8 per cent, was with foreign countries. Tlie distribution
iu 1885 was as follows : —
[OOO's omitted.]
I'nited Kingdom
.\ustral;isia, cliiefly New S'>uth "1
Wales and Victoria J
United Slates
India
Mauritius
China
Europe
Other countries
Total
IlDpOltS.
£
£
5,227,
4,907,
1,285,
1,391,
401,
405,
129,
—
139,
2,
129,
7,
20,
1,
150,
107,
7,480,
Kxports.
6,820,
The Imports exceeded the Exports by 10 per cent.
The progressive increase of the Import trade bas been
diminishing, until in the last triad it was changed into
a decrease. The increase of Exports has been continuous,
but fluctuating in amount. The increase between the
first and last triad was for Imports 11, and for Exports
28 per cent. As regards shipping, the value of the
cargoes was £13"5, above that of the United Kingdom,
and second only to that of India. The proportion of foreign
tonnage was small, only 9 per cent. The steamer tonnage
was not distinguished. The increase of tonnage between
1877-79 and 1884-86 has been small, and in striking
contrast to the other Australasian Colonies. Of British
shipping tliere has been an increase of 26 per cent ;
of foreign shipping there has been a decrease of 33
per cent. The shipping belonging to New Zealand on
31st December, 1887, consisted of: —
388 sailing vessels, of 54,451 tons, averaging 1-JO tons,
168 steam „ 39,516 „ „ 235 „
Total.... 55G
9.^967
Of the total tonnage, 22,156 was registered at Auckland,
31,419 at Littleton, 28,610 at Dunedin, and 3,771 at
Wellington and other poi-ts.
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86. 1*}7
Fiji. These islands were only annexed in 1874. The record
of their trade commences theiefore in 1875. Their trade
was chiefly carried on with New South Wales, Victoria,
and New Zealand. The Imports and Exports from and
to British Possessions were respecti%'ely 87 and 79 per
cent. The same from and to the United Kingdom were
only 9 and 7. Imports from foreign countries amounted
only to 4 per cent., but Exports thereto reached 13 per
cent., chiefly to Portugal and Grerraany. The Exports
exceeded the Imports by 10 per cent.
The Imports increased greatly in 1878-80, and still
more in the succeeding triad, but decreased in 1884-8*0.
The Exports have increased largely throughout the twelve
years.
The value of cargoes was moderately high, £49, a little
above that in Tasmania; the proportion of foreign shipping
was low, 10 per cent. ; that of steam tonnage low, 6'^, the
same as in India. The increase of British tonnnge between
1877-79 and 1884-86 has been threefold. There has been
a decrease of 27 per cent, in foreign tonnage. The
shipping belonging to Fiji on 31st December, 1887,
conj'isted of 14 sailing vessels, of 1,004 tons, and 1 steam
vessel of 19 tons.
Cape of Good Hope contributed 0'8 to the Imports and I'S to
the Exports of the Empire. In the Statistical Abstract
Natal is included with it. The two Colonies contributed
to the trade of the United Kingdom 1-2 of the Imports
and T5 of the Exports. The trade of the Cape Colony
■was chiefly with the United Kingdom, viz., 78 per cent,
of Imports and 94 per cent, of Exports. Its Imports
from British Possessions were 14 per cent., and Exports
to them only 1 per cent. Its foreign trade amounted to
9 and 4 per cent, of Imports and Exports respectively.
After the United Kingdom the chief Imports were from
Natal, South Australia, Brazil, and the United States.
The Exports to any single country except the United
Kingdom were insigiiilicant. 'J'he Exports exceeded thft
Impojts by 24 per cent. The progress of the Import
trade has been very unequal, a small decrease in 1875-77,
a large increase in the next triad ; an incix'ase to half the
extent in the third, and a very great decrease, 45 per
cent., in the last. Between 1872-74 and 1881-83 Imports
had increased 50 pei* cent.; between the former period
and 1H84-8G they had deci-eased 18 per cent. P^xports
e.xliibited corresponding ini(|ualities in the same periods,
138 Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
but in different proportions. Between 1872-74 and
1881-83 they had increased 4 per cent. ; between the
former period and 1884-86 they had decreased 12 per
cent. As regards shipping the average value of cai'goes
was moderate, £5"0 per ton ; the proportion of foreign
tonnage was small, 14 per cent., and that of steamer
tonnage moderately high, 78. The increase of British
tonnage has been moderate ; that of foreign tonnage has
been only one-third of the amount, 33 and 11 per cent,
respectively. The shipping belonging to the Cape of
Good Hope and Natal on 31st December, 1887, consisted
of 29 sailing vessels, of 2,873 tons, and 17 steam vessels,
of 605 tons ; 2 sailing vessels of 58 tons were built there
in 1887.
Natal i-esembles the Cape of Good Hope in the character of its
trade. It drew 81 per cent, of its Imports from the
United Kingdom, and sent thither 79 per cent, of its
Exports. It shipped however a considerable amount to
the Cape. Its foreign trade was of small amount, 7 and
4 per cent, respectively. Its Imports exceeded its Exports
by 72 per cent. Its Imports increased very largely, 8U per
cent,, in 1878-80, but have fallen off in both of the
following triads. The Exports have increased moderately
except in 1878-80, when they r'ecreased by less than 1 per
cent. These opposite changes may be ascribed to the
effects of the war in Zululand during that period. The
average value of cargoes was higher than at the Cape,
viz., £5'8 per ton ; the proportion of foreign tonnage was
very small, only 8 per cent.; the steamer tonnage was not
distinguished. The increase of British tonnage in the
last ten years has been moderate, 42 per cent. ; that of
foreign tonnage still less, 14 per cent.
St. Helena drew half of its Imports from the United
Kingdom, and 38 per cent, from foreign countries,
almost exclusively from the United States. Its Exports
were insignificant. The Whale Fisheries contributed
largely to its trade, and supplied the bulk of the Exports,
or rather transhipments. Its Imports were four times
the amount of its Exports.
The triad 1875-77 showed a large increase both of
Import and Exports; since then they have been rapidly
decreasing at each period ; the decrease in the whole
period has been 22 per cent, of Imports, and 37 per cent,
of Exports.
The average value of cargoes was only £0'7 per ton;
Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86. 139
the proportion of foreign tonnage was 10 per cent., tliat
of steamer tonnage 70 per cent.
The amount of British tonnage has remained almost
stationary ; that of foreign vessels has decreased by
45 per cent.
West Coast of Africa. Of the four Colonies comprised under
this head, three resembled one another in many respects.
Gambia diflf'ered most from the others — and the differences
in the others were sufficient to call for a separate notice
of each.
Lagos, as well as the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone, had little
trade with British Possessions. It drew 54 per cent, of
its Imports from the United Kingdom, and 46 from
foreign countries. It shipped 32 per cent, of its Exports
to the former, and 68 per cent, to the latter. Germany
was its chief market for both Imports and Exports, to
which were added France and French Possessions in
Africa for Exports. The latter exceeded the Imports by
13 per cent. The trade inwards and outwards was
flourishing in 1875-77, fell off in the next six years, and
revived in 1884-86. Between the first and last triad the
Imports increased 47, and the Exports 36 per cent.
The average value of cargoes was £2'0 per ton ; the
proportion of foreign tonnage was low, 18 per cent., that
of steamer tonnage very high, 95 per cent. It was
similarly high in the other three Settlements. The
increase of tonnage has been moderate — of British double
that of foreign.
Gold Coast carried on a larger proportion of its trade with tlie
United Kingdom than Lagos, viz., 63 per cent, of Imports
and 48 per cent, of Exports. Its chief foreign trade was
with the United States, but it exported largely to Ger-
many. Its Exports exceeded its Imports by 6 per cent.
There has been a continuous increase in Imports except
in 1878-80, and in Exports except in 1881-83. The
increase between the first and last triads has been 76 per
cent, for Imports, and 18 per cent, for Exports.
The average value per ton was less than in Lagos, oidy
£1"3 a ton ; the proportion of foreign tonnage about the
same, 16 per cent., and that of steamer tonnage 97 per
cent. The increase of tonnage, both British and Foreign,
has been excessively large, so much so, that it can only
be accounted for by some great change such as the estab-
lishment of a line of steamers visiting the port.
Sierra Leone drew a lai'ger proportion of its Imports from the
1 10 Trade of the British Possessions, 1872-86.
ITiiited Kirm;dom tlian eitlier of its sister colonies, viz.,
7(> per cent. The balance was drawn cliieHj from the
United States, German}', France, and West African ports.
Of the Exports 37 per cent, were shipped to the United
Kingdom, 56 per cent, to the same foreign countries,
excepting Germany, and 6 per cent, to the Gambia. The
Exports e.vceeded the Imports bj 1 per cent. The Imports
bave decreased at each period except in 1878-80. The
Exports decreased in 1875-77 and 1884-86. On the whole
|)eriod the Exports decreased 14 per cent., and the
Exports 25 per cent. The average value of the cargoes
was the same as on the Gold Coast, £1"3 per ton; the
proportion of foreign tonnage was rather less, 11 per
cent., as also that of steamer tonnage, 94 per cent.
The increase of British tonnage was 33 per cent.; foreign
tonnage decreased 11 per cent.
Gamhia. The smaller trade of this Settlement differed mate-
rially from that of the other three. It drew a fourth of
its Imports from Sierra Leone, only 38 per cent, from the
United Kingdom, and 35 per cent, from West African
ports, the United States, and France. It exported 8 per
cent, to the United Kingdom, and S8 per cent, to foreign
countries, of which the greater portion went to France,
and the i-emainder to West African poi'ts, Madeira, the
United States, and Italy, with a trifle to Sierra Leone and
Gibraltar. The Imports exceeded the Exports by 11 per
cent. ; the Imports showed a large increase in 1878-8U,
and a decrease in each of the other triads. The Ex])orts
also showed a large increase in 18/8-8' >, with a small
increase in the next triad, an.d a decrease in the other
two. The increase of Imports between 1872-74 and
1881-83 was 46 per cent., but between the former period
and 1884-86 was only 3 per cent. In like manner the
inci-ease of Exports in the first corresponding period was
44 per cent., while thei'e was a decrease in the latter ui
4 ])er cent.
The average value of cargoes was only £1"1 per ton,
the proportion of foreign tonnage large, 29 per cent.,
explained by the large trade with France ; and that of
steamer tonnage also large, 90 per cent. The increase of
tonnage has been very small. Althongh the increase of
foreign has slightly exceeded that of the British, the
proportion of foreign to British has decreased.
The shipping lielonging on 31st December, 1887, to
ports in West Africa, viz., Bathui'st, Freetown, and
Trade of tlie British Pobsessio^is, 1872-86.
141
Lagos, consisted of 133 sailing vessels, of 2,543 tons, and
six steam vessels, of 244 tons.
Canada contributed 3"7 per cent, to the Imports, and 3"9 per
cent, to the Exports of the Empire. The Statistical
Abstracts do not separate Canada from the " North
" American Colonies," which include Newfoundland and
Bermuda. These combined contributed 2'8 per cent, to
the Imports, and 31 per cent, to the Exports of the
United Kingdom.
Canada drew 40 per cent, of its Imports from the lA
United Kingdom, only 2 per cent, from British Posses- "^
sions, and 57 per cent, froin Foreign Countries. Its
Exports to the United Kingdom amounted to 47 per cent.,
4 per cent, to British Possessions, and 49 per cent, to
Foreign Countries. The Imports from the United States
amounted to about 80 per cent., and the Exports thereto
to about 90 per cent, of the whole Foreign Trade.
The distribution of the trade will be best seen in the
following abstract : —
[OOO's omitted.]
United Kingdom
,, States
Britisli West Indies and British 1
Ciuiana J
Other British Colonies
China and Japan
Crermany
France
Spanisli Possessions in West In■>
1
„ -ii
5J
12
" "
>>
11
„ 42
11
11.
„ 43
It
6.
„ 44
11
24
J) 11
11
37.
45
„ 53
„ 7.
„ 22.
„ 44.
„ 17.
To tlie table in tliis page may be added
Jamaica, with the following figures:
Duties, Sjoecific, £187,418 ; Ad val.,
£7^^,913; Total, £365,601; Per-
centage proportion, 70"7; 29*3.
Ceylon. Add to same table for Ceylon : Specific
Duties, £224,071 ; xid. val, £39,792 ;
Total, £263,863 ; Percentage propor-
tion, 84-9; 15-1.
Jamaica. To the table in this page add Jamaica,
£732,532; £640,031; £115,270;
£1,487,834; 49-2; 43-1; 77.
„ It depends on the port of shipment.
It has been suggested that often all the manifests
are impi'operly made out for the last
port to which the vessel is destined.
Cape of Oood Hope. For £69,069 read £69,064.
Jamaica. Transhipments are not included, and
there is no transit trade.
Cape of Good Hope. Goods in transit are exchided
from returns of Exports.
Natal. It is pointed out that the trade with inland
foreign States absorbs quite one-half
of the Imports. This would apply to
other Possessions similarly situated,
and would affect all comparisons made
between the value of Imports and
amount of Customs Duties and the
population in such possessions.
Gold Coast. Entries for consumption are recorded.
Natal. Bullion and Specie are not included in
the Imports. Gold raised in the
colony is included in the Exports.
For £162,288 read £162,298.
Jamaica. Import duties are charged on Value at
port of shipment.
Mauritius. Since 1882 the duties have been
charged on the declared fii-st cost at
the port of shipment, but for statis-
tical record to this have been added
cost of freight chai-ges and exchange.
Natal. 10 per cent, is by law added to the in-
voice value of Imports in levying the
duties, which is very much less than
the amount of freight and charges.
156
Corrections and Additions to Parts I and II.
Table I. Cejlon. For Customs Duties £267,280, read
£209,008.
Natal. As to additional duty of 2| per cent.,
see note above on p. 11.
Tasmania. Unennmerated articles are charged
10 per cent.
Western Australia. Collection of Customs duties, for
£134,116 read £134,842.
Cape of Good Hope. If Government articles and specie
be excluded, read in Column of
Customs Duties and those following
for £1,073,372, £1,040,098 ; for 32-3,
31-3; for 17-1, 16-3; for 2150,
23-23 ; for 22-35, 2407.
Cape of Good Hope. Changes corres-
ponding to the above.
See also note above. Natal, p. 44.
The tariff duties on malt liquor and
spirits are levied on the old wine
gallon.
Lead pays 1/2 per lb.
Tin and zinc pay 0/1 Ij per cwt.
As regards additional duty of 2| per
cent., see note above. Natal, p. 11.
Cocoa, prepared, and chocolate pay 8%.
In consequence of the difference
between the old and Imperial gal ions
liquors pay the following- duties : —
Malt liquor, in wood, per imp. gal. 0/4|.
,, in bottle per doz. 2/6
Spirits, rum and gin, per imp. gal. 0/0
other „ 9/0
Wine, sparkling, in bots., per doz. 5,0
,, all others per imp gnl. l/l
Biscuits, sweet, charged as confec-
tionery, pay 12| %.
Cocoa, prepared, and chocolate, pay
121%.
Coffee and rum, foreign, are prohibited
for consumption.
Molasses are free.
Cigarettes are charged 1/0 per lb. as
manufactured tobncco.
Salt pays 1/0 per 100 lbs.
Copper and other metals 12| %.
Tables II, III, and IV.
Table V. Gold Coast,
Lagos.
Ceylon.
Natal.
Barbados.
Jamaica.
Corrections and Additions to Tarts I and II.
157
Tasmania.
Gold Coast
Ceylon.
Barbados.
Jamaica.
Table Y. Tasmania. Unenumerated articles pay 10% ad val.
Pickles, for pints read quarts.
Cape of Good Hope. Wheat flour pays 3/11 per cwt.
Copper pays 15%.
Copper and iron ores, if Foreign, pay
15%.
Tin in blocks pays 15 %.
Linen Piece Goods, Caoutchouc waves,
and Gutta Percha pay 10%.
Cartridges, not filled, pay 1/0 per 100.
Blasting Powder pays 15/0 per 100 lbs.
Arms, guns, pay 10/0 each.
Gunpowder pays 0/3 per lb., charged
for storing in Government magazine.
Cement pays 1 /3 per barrel.
Starch pays 1/1| per cwt.
Shingles, Cypress, pay 6/0 per 1,000 ;
other kinds 4/0.
Cape of Good Hope. Hoop iron pays 15 %.
Sewing Machines pay ,,
Silver and plated wares 15 %.
For £3,076,751 read £3,071,751.
For 4,889, 0-41, 0-16, read 10,508, 0-90,
0"34. See note above at p. 34.
For 3,102, 75, 1,956, 73-3, PS, 58-3,
read 3,056, 121, 1,955, 72-2, 2-8, 582.
For 1,124, 1,317, 14-3, 857, read 1,123,
1,314, 14-5, 85-6.
Cape of Good Hope. The year ends 31st December.
Table VHIa. Ceylun. For 3,010. 3,885, 689, 7,586, 397, 513,
9-1, read 3,013, 3,871, 736, 7,620,
39-5, 50-8, 97.
Near the bottom. Total of British Empire, for
£1,048,342 read £1,046,342.'
Table XI. Ceylon. Imports from China, for £1,756 read
£2,171.
Total Exports, for £25,412 read
£25,891.
Some other trifling changes need not be
specified.
Table XII. Caj^e of Good Hope. Column of Imports :
United Kingdom, for £3,878,071 read
£3,377,537.
After Sandwich Bay read Foreign Pos-
sessions.
Table VI. Ceylon.
Table VIII. Ceylon.
Tasmania
158 Corrections and Additions to Parts I aiid IT.
Table XII. Cape of Good Hope — Contd-. Porhignese Territories,
for £1,919 read £2,403; Native
States, for £1,988 read £1,088.
Sweden, read £24,653.
Coluniii of Exports :
Opposite Italy insert 15 ; countries not
distinguislied read 192.
Jamaica. Column of Imports. Tliose fi-om
Foi-eign States not distinguished are
cliiefly fi'om Colon.
Table XIV. Gold Coast. Goods entered for consumption,
£449,947.
The Governor of the Bahamas reports the following changes made
since the publication of the first part : —
Tobacco raw, Salt, Steam Launches,
Half Barrels, &c. used for packing.
Staves, Hoops, and Heads for making
Barrels, exempted from duty.
Hemp, hithei'to free, charged with
20 % ad val.
Bounty of \d. per lb. on exportation
of Sisal Fibre, or Hemp, in quantities
of not less than one ton avoirdupois.
The Governor of New Zealand sends, with the Trade Statistics
for the year 1887, a copy of an entirely new tariff, dated 8th July,
1888. An analysis of this tariff in the same form as that employed
in Table I of the former Part for the preceding tariff shows —
187 articles enumerated exempt from duty.
All articles unenumerated exempt from duty ; also such articles
as may from time to time be specified by the Commissioner
of Customs, which are suited only for, and are to be used
wholly in the fabrication of goods within the Colony.
242 articles charged.
326 rates of duty, of which —
143 specific.
183 ad valorem, viz., at 5 per cent 3
10 „ 1
15 „ 49
20 „ 110
25 „ 20
In addition to a Customs Duty of 3/6 per lb.. Tobacco pnys an
Excise Duty of 1/0 per lb., and Cigars and Cigarettes, in addition
to 7/0 per lb., pay an Excise Duty of 1/6 per lb.
159
Appent)IX B. — Note to Statement at pp. 52 and 53.
The following is a collocation of the annual aggregates of the
prices of the chief articles of Import and Export, as stated in
Tables X and XI, in each year from 1854 to 1886, showing by a
difference of type as w^ell as by the figures whether the aggregates
indicate a rising or a falling market, and how far the fluctuations
agree with those indicated in Table I : —
Years.
1854
'55
'56
'57
'58
'59
1860
•HI
'62
'63
'61.
'65
'6G
'67
'68
'69
1870
'71
'72
'73
'74
'75
'76
'77
'78
'79
1880
'81
'82
'83
'84
'85
'86
Imports.
Averaa;e Value
per Ton.
As in Table I.
£
I9'3
20'4
20'9
186
197
20"9
205
24' 3
22-3
22 2
20 6
2 I '2
204
203
201
198
197
19-4
I9'6
17-8
178
173
172
171
171
166
162
15-8
14-4
141
Agsregate of Value
of Inipcirts, as in
Table X.
Food and Raw-
Materials.
£
49.097
48,308
48,106
4^,879
45,165
47-4'''4
Exports.
Aggi-egate
Value of Exports
as in
Table XI.
£
22,908
21,851
22,190
22,574
21,157
21,353
49,107
21,228
46,609
20,728
47.70'i
21, '^67
46,979
24,00^,
46,811
26.C170
46,631
25,086
47,828
25,741
48.406
24,786
48,7^6
23,567
47,420
23,434
46,449
22,988
45,271
-0,311
45.V44
29,424
45,501
32,852
44,181
29,087
43,578
25,997
43,562
23,613
44-voi
22,307
41,926
21,216
39,792
19,534
41.595
20,cg7
40,518
18,379
40,436
"«,7M
40,020
1 9. ""'9
37,641
18,034
35,006
17,981
32,474
17,488
Average
Value per Ton as
in Table I.
£
147
140
i4"4
141
141
I5'2
1 c;'2
141
14-2
16-5
i7"4
170
i7'i
152
14-7
14-9
14 6
14-9
i'^-3
162
151
13 8
119
11-9
114
109
III
"•3
111
104
101
93
92
ICO
Appcniix.
Bearing in mind that when two consecutive years exhibit the
same aveiage or aggregate they are placed in the same category of
ascent or descent, and that the slightest difference in the amount
may change the category, it is remarkable to what extent the
aggregates, heterogeneous as they are, agree with the averages
derived from so different a source, especially in the first half of the
period, before the disturbing influences of the years 1872-74.
This agreement is fui-tlier shown in the following comparison
of the fluctuations of an annual standard for Exports calculated
from the above averages, taking the aggregate of the first year
18o4 as equivalent to the average value of a ton of Exports in
that year, as shown in Table I : —
Average
Annual J'luctuations
Average
Annual Pliietuations
Years.
Value per Ton
in Prices,
Years.
Value per Ton
in Piiecs,
as
Calculateil on above
as
CaUulafed on above
in Table I.
Aggregates.
in Table I.
Aggregates.
18r,4
14-7
14-7
1870
14-6
14-7
'55
14-n
140
'71
14-9
14-9
'56
14-4
14-2
'72
16-3
18-9
'57
141
141
'73
16-2
21-2
'58
141
13-5
'74
15- 1
18-7
'59
15-2
13-6
'75
13-8
16-7
'76
11-9
15-1
1860
15-2
13-6
'77
11-9
14-3
'61
141
13-3
'78
11-4
13-6
62
14-2
13-8
'79
10-9
12-5
'63
,64
65
'm
14-5
17-4
170
171
15-4
16-7
161
16-5
18S0
'81
'82
'83
111
11-3
111
10-4
131
11-7
11-9
122
'67
15 2
159
'84
101
12-5
'6S
'69
14-7
149
151
150
'85
'86
9-3
9-2
11-4
11 1
Tt will be seen how, with the exception of the years 1859-60,
for which doubtless an explanation may be found, the two columns
run in close agreement up to the year 1872, when that abnormal
rise in prices took place, and caused a disturbance in the former
eciuilibriuin of these arbitrary aggregates, from which they have
not yet recovered. But the error may be detected and meastu'ed
by a reference to the recorded facts of the amount of tonnage and
value of Exports in these years ; because if the average arbitrary
price in 1886 remained as high as £11"1, the recorded tonnage
wu)nld not have been sufficient to have taken away the recorded
value, estimated on the same relative basis as before the year 1872.
Tills incongruity arises from the very great influence of the
export of coal, which has been since ascertained and described at
pp. 33 — 39.
APPENDIX D.—Delm
1
led Table nf Cmumllaiices, Emmmic and Commercial, wtiich afeeled, or nsvltedfrom, llie Trade of the TJuiled Kingdom in the Yeart 1854-87. 1611
(Fo
r,oa
•a..
fin
om
lion
.™
Expl
.n„k
ry Note,
!,,.
— "
oil
Si
on
wi
Ml
1
01)
on
il
SO]
II
9S|
1
n
2-ee
oil
2'
611
Mi
j
OIJ
DOl
11
_o-ao
lo'
O-AG
001
68
69
70
71
72
Ml
1
1.0M
00!
Ml
?,'
Quantities and value from Annual Statistical Abstracts.
^Imports and consumption from same as Nos. 4 and ^),
i Appendix No. 11.
Pi'ice and value from Annual Statistical Abstracts.
> Same as Nos. 4 and .5, Appendix No. 14, and annu
t).
7.
8.
8a.
'.).
9a. ^
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21. For years 187() to 1881, from Mr. Giff'en's paper on the
Use of Import and Export Statistics, in "Journal of
" Royal Statistical Society," June, 1882.
For subsequent years, compiled from half-yearly I'eturns in
the " Statist."
22. Fui'nished by Mr. H. C. Burdett ; com]nled from his annual
volumes of '■ Official Intelligence."
Generally — Figures for 1887, where not otherwise stated, have
been obtained IVoin official sources.
14,
and
annu.
il absti-acts
15
2
2(;
27
28
33
32
30
40
41.
42.
LONDON' :
nARRISON AXD SON^, TKINTERS IN OTIDIXARY TO IIER MAJESTF,
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